Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis has announced its acquisition of Anthos Therapeutics, a biotech firm backed by Blackstone Life Sciences, in a deal worth up to $3.1 billion. This strategic move reinforces Novartis’ commitment to cardiovascular treatments as it seeks to expand its portfolio in this critical medical field.
A Bold Move in Cardiovascular Medicine
Anthos Therapeutics was founded in 2019 through a collaboration between Novartis and Blackstone’s Life Sciences division. The company specializes in abelacimab, an innovative anticoagulant designed to prevent strokes and blood clots.
This acquisition is particularly significant as Novartis faces the loss of patent protection for its top-selling heart failure drug, Entresto, later this year. By adding abelacimab to its pipeline, Novartis aims to remain a leader in the cardiovascular space.
Under the terms of the deal, Novartis will make an upfront payment of $925 million, with additional milestone-based payments of up to $2.15 billion. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2025, pending regulatory approvals.
A Game-Changer in Blood Thinners
Abelacimab belongs to a new class of Factor XI inhibitors, a type of anticoagulant that aims to replace traditional blood thinners like:
- Eliquis (Bristol Myers Squibb & Pfizer)
- Xarelto (Johnson & Johnson & Bayer)
These existing drugs dominate the market, but Factor XI inhibitors promise better safety profiles, with a lower risk of bleeding—one of the main concerns with traditional anticoagulants.
Several pharmaceutical giants, including Bristol Myers Squibb, Johnson & Johnson, and Merck & Co., are also racing to develop their own Factor XI inhibitors. However, Bayer suffered setbacks in 2023, making Novartis’ move even more strategic in the evolving competitive landscape.
Blackstone’s Biggest Biopharma Exit
The acquisition marks a major milestone for Blackstone Life Sciences, as Anthos represents its largest-ever biopharma sale. Blackstone first began exploring the sale of Anthos in late 2023, with Novartis emerging as the ideal buyer due to its existing minority stake in the company.
Nicholas Galakatos, Chairman of Anthos and Global Head of Blackstone Life Sciences, emphasized abelacimab’s potential as a market leader in the next generation of anticoagulants. He expressed confidence that Novartis will successfully bring this groundbreaking treatment to millions of patients at risk of strokes and clot-related conditions.
What’s Next for Abelacimab?
Anthos is currently conducting several Phase 3 clinical trials, with results expected in the second half of 2026. If successful, abelacimab could reshape the future of anticoagulant therapy and position Novartis as a dominant player in the field.
With this acquisition, Novartis is making a clear statement—it is doubling down on cardiovascular medicine and ensuring it remains at the forefront of innovation despite upcoming patent expirations.
