Novartis announced an agreement to acquire Regulus Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in San Diego, in a deal valued at up to $1.7 billion. Regulus is developing farabursen, a potential first-in-class oligonucleotide therapy targeting miR-17 for autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), a genetic condition that is a leading cause of kidney failure. Novartis will offer $7 per share in cash, along with a contingent value right (CVR) worth up to an additional $7 per share, dependent on the achievement of a regulatory milestone. The deal, approved by both companies' Boards of Directors, involves Novartis launching a tender offer to acquire all outstanding shares of Regulus. Once completed, Regulus will become an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Novartis.
President, Development and Chief Medical Officer, at Novartis, Shreeram Aradhye stated, “ADPKD is the most common genetic cause of renal failure worldwide. The team at Regulus has done meaningful foundational work with farabursen, and we look forward to investigating its potential further as we aim to bring a better treatment option to patients in need.” In December 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) agreed on a Phase 3 trial design for farabursen, setting the stage for potential accelerated approval. This acquisition aligns with Novartis’s commitment to transforming kidney health, building on its legacy of innovations in transplantation and recent FDA approvals in renal care.
