Novartis to buy US biopharma outfit Regulus for up to $1.7bn

30th Apr 2025 15:08

(Sharecast News) - Swiss pharma giant Novartis announced on Wednesday that it is to buy American clinical-stage biopharma firm Regulus for up to $1.7bn, bolstering its position in the renal disease treatment market.

The deal includes an upfront payment of $0.8bn, with a potential additional payment of $0.9bn if regulatory milestones are achieved.

The upfront payment represents a per-share price of $7 in cash for Regulus shareholders, with an additional $7 on offer subject to regulatory approvals.

Regulus's stock, which closed Tuesday at just $3.37, was up more than 130% at $7.81 by 1108 in New York.

Regulus is developing microRNA therapeutics with a focus on the severe renal disease, autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) - the most common genetic cause of renal failure worldwide.

Its lead asset for ADPKD, farabursen, recently completed a Phase 1b multiple-ascending dose clinical trial, which showed "promising clinical efficacy and safety", Novartis said.

Novartis said in a statement that the deal is "fully in line" with the therapeutic area focus of the company.

"With limited treatment options currently available for patients suffering from ADPKD, farabursen represents a potential first-in-class medicine with a profile that may provide enhanced efficacy, tolerability and safety versus standard of care," said Shreeram Aradhye, Novartis's president of development and chief medical officer.

"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," Aradhye said.