Basel, May 2, 2024 – Novartis today announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Mariana Oncology, a preclinical-stage biotechnology company based in Watertown, Massachusetts focused on developing novel radioligand therapies (RLTs) to treat cancers with high unmet patient need.

The transaction bolsters the Novartis RLT pipeline and expands the company’s research infrastructure and clinical supply capabilities, supporting Novartis strategic priorities in oncology and RLT platform innovation.

Novartis on Tuesday expanded its peptide discovery collaboration with Japanese biotech PeptiDream in a deal worth more than $2.7 billion in milestone payments, making it the latest move in the red hot radiopharma sector.

Under the agreement, PeptiDream use its technology–the Peptide Discovery Platform System—to find new macrocyclic peptides against targets that Novartis has selected.

Zilucoplan is a macrocyclic peptide-containing drug with 15 amino acids in total, targeting the challenging-to-drug C5 complement protein and formulated for self-administered once-daily SC injection.

PeptiDream is clearly doing something right. Big Pharmas have been queueing round the block to collaborate on the Japanese biotech’s peptide discovery platform, and, now, long-term partner Genentech is back with $40 million in upfront cash for a fresh licensing agreement.

RAHWAY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, today announced results from the Phase 2b clinical trial evaluating MK-0616, an investigational, once-daily oral proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitor in adults with hypercholesterolemia. The primary objective of the study was to evaluate the percent change in low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) from baseline to week 8 for 4 doses of MK-0616 (6, 12, 18 and 30 mg) versus placebo.

The technological advancement, shared cost, and the pursuit of combined extensive research are amongst the few pragmatic and mutual benefits that come with collaborations. Moreover, the risks involved in drug development plans get minimalized by opening the doors to new opportunities and commercialization.