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Summary:
Novartis is set to acquire Avidity Biosciences for $12 billion, a 46% premium over Avidity’s Friday closing price. The deal, expected to close in the first half of 2026 after Avidity spins out some assets, will give Novartis access to Avidity’s RNA-based therapeutics technology, specifically its innovative antibody oligonucleotide conjugates. This acquisition is expected to boost Novartis’s sales growth forecast and aligns with the company’s increased investment in research and development, including a significant expansion of its U.S. infrastructure and recent deals focused on cardiovascular and kidney disease drugs.
News Article:
Novartis to Acquire Avidity Biosciences for $12 Billion, Expanding RNA Therapeutics Portfolio
ZURICH, Switzerland – Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis announced Sunday that it has reached an agreement to acquire biotechnology company Avidity Biosciences for approximately $12 billion. The move underscores Novartis’s commitment to expanding its research and development in innovative therapies, particularly in the burgeoning field of RNA-based treatments.
Under the terms of the agreement, Novartis will pay Avidity shareholders $72 per share in cash, representing a 46% premium over Avidity’s closing price on Friday. The transaction is anticipated to close in the first half of 2026, contingent upon Avidity spinning out certain parts of its business, including its early-stage precision cardiology programs.
Avidity Biosciences specializes in antibody oligonucleotide conjugates.
“The Avidity team has built robust programs with industry-leading delivery of RNA therapeutics to muscle tissue,” stated Novartis CEO Vas Narasimhan in a press release. “We look forward to developing these programs to meaningfully change the trajectory of diseases for patients.”
The acquisition is expected to positively impact Novartis’s financial outlook. The company has raised its sales compound annual growth rate forecast for the period between 2024 and 2029 to 6%, up from the previous estimate of 5%.
This deal comes as Novartis ramps up its research and development division. Earlier this year, Novartis pledged to invest $23 billion to expand its U.S.-based infrastructure, including the construction of a second R&D hub in San Diego. Furthermore, the company has recently finalized deals with Anthos Therapeutics and Regulus Therapeutics, focusing on the development and manufacturing of cardiovascular and kidney disease drugs.
Avidity’s stock has experienced significant growth this year, up nearly 70% since the beginning of 2025.
First Piper 