Reflects the promise of the novel Factor XI inhibitor class of
medicines to help prevent strokes and other conditions as well as
Abelacimab’s potential to provide superior safety
Culminates growth journey as part of Blackstone Life
Sciences
Blackstone Life Sciences and Anthos Therapeutics, Inc. (“Anthos”
or the “company”), a transformative, clinical-stage
biopharmaceutical company developing innovative therapies for the
treatment of cardiometabolic diseases, announced today that the
company has entered into an agreement with Novartis to acquire
Anthos for up to $3.1 billion. Anthos was founded by Blackstone
Life Sciences and Novartis in 2019 with the exclusive global rights
from Novartis to develop, manufacture, and commercialize
abelacimab, a novel factor XI inhibitor that originated at
Novartis, being developed to prevent stroke and systemic embolism
in patients with atrial fibrillation as well as to prevent the
recurrence of blood clots in patients with cancer.
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“Abelacimab has the potential to be an important treatment
option for the millions of patients globally with atrial
fibrillation at high risk of stroke, and we could not have more
conviction in the potential of this asset,” said Bill Meury, Chief
Executive Officer at Anthos. “With its deep roots in the
cardiovascular space, Novartis is especially well positioned to
advance abelacimab’s clinical development and bring this innovative
product to healthcare providers and patients. I am deeply grateful
to the Anthos and Blackstone Life Sciences teams, the clinical
investigators, the patients in our studies, the advocacy community,
and many others who have played a role in Anthos’ success over the
past six years.”
“We are proud to have launched and helped grow Anthos by
acquiring the rights to abelacimab, assembling a world class team,
designing the clinical plan and financing its development,” said
Dr. Nicholas Galakatos, Chairman of Anthos’ Board of Directors and
Global Head of Blackstone Life Sciences. “We believe abelacimab has
the potential to be a leader in the new class of Factor XI
anticoagulants and are pleased to have Novartis as a committed
partner to advance the development and commercialization of
abelacimab as a potential treatment option for the millions of
patients at risk of strokes. This transaction is an affirmation of
Blackstone Life Sciences’ ownership investment strategy, where we
seek to find innovative products and build companies around them to
meet unmet patient needs.”
In AZALEA-TIMI 71, abelacimab compared with rivaroxaban
(Xarelto) demonstrated a 62% reduction in major bleeding or
clinically relevant non-major bleeding, a 67% reduction in major
bleeding, and an 89% reduction in gastrointestinal bleeding. The
overall clinical benefit of abelacimab prompted the Independent
Data Monitoring Committee to discontinue the study early. Results
from AZALEA-TIMI 71 were recently published in the New England
Journal of Medicine on January 23, 2025.
Anthos is currently conducting a phase 3 clinical study in
patients with atrial fibrillation with high risk for stroke or
systemic embolism (LILAC-TIMI 76) as well as two phase 3 studies in
patients with cancer-associated thrombosis (ASTER and MAGNOLIA).
Data from these trials are expected in the second half of 2026.
Blackstone Life Sciences’ investment in and commitment to Anthos
demonstrate the power of combining its scale and deep operating
expertise to build businesses that can help bring innovative
products to market and substantially improve patient outcomes.
Transaction Details
Anthos shareholders will receive an upfront payment of $925
million upon closing of the transaction. In addition, Anthos
shareholders are entitled to receive payments in the event certain
regulatory and commercial milestones are achieved. Completion of
the transaction is expected in the first half of 2025, pending the
expiration of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino
Antitrust Improvements Act and satisfaction of other customary
closing conditions.
Advisors
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC is acting as the lead financial
advisor to Anthos. Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC is also serving as
a financial advisor, and Goodwin Procter LLP is serving as legal
advisor to Anthos.
About Anthos Therapeutics
Founded by Blackstone Life Sciences (BXLS) in 2019, Anthos
Therapeutics is a transformative, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical
company with the exclusive global rights from Novartis Pharma AG to
develop, manufacture and commercialize abelacimab. BXLS is the
majority investor in the company and is joined by other partners
including Novo Holdings. For more information about Anthos, visit
the Company’s website or follow us on X and LinkedIn.
About Blackstone Life Sciences
Blackstone Life Sciences is an industry-leading private
investment platform with capabilities to invest across the life
cycle of companies and products within the key life science
sectors. By combining scale investments and hands-on operational
leadership, Blackstone Life Sciences helps bring to market
promising new medicines and medical technologies that improve
patients’ lives and currently has $12 billion in assets under
management.
About Abelacimab
Abelacimab is a novel, investigational, highly selective, fully
human monoclonal antibody that binds tightly to Factor XI to block
its activation and prevent the generation of the activated form
(Factor XIa). This mimics natural Factor XI deficiency, which is
associated with protection from thromboembolic disease.
Abelacimab received a Fast Track Designation from the FDA in
July 2022 for the treatment of thrombosis associated with cancer.
In September 2022, abelacimab was also granted a Fast Track
Designation for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in
patients with atrial fibrillation.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within
the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
that involve substantial risks and uncertainties, including
statements regarding the proposed acquisition of Anthos by
Novartis, the expected timetable for completing the transaction,
future opportunities for the combined businesses, the expected
benefits of Novartis’ acquisition of Anthos, the development and
commercialization of Anthos Therapeutics’ product candidates and
the potential benefits of abelacimab. All statements, other than
statements of historical facts, contained in this press release,
including statements regarding the company’s strategy, future
operations, future financial position, prospects, plans and
objectives of management, are forward-looking statements. The words
“anticipate,” “become,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,”
“expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,”
“project,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would” and similar
expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements,
although not all forward-looking statements contain these
identifying words. Any forward-looking statements are based on
management’s current expectations of future events and are subject
to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual
results to differ materially and adversely from those set forth in,
or implied by, such forward-looking statements. Actual results may
differ materially because of numerous risks and uncertainties
including with respect to (i) the possibility that various
conditions to the consummation of the acquisition may not be
satisfied or waived, including that a governmental entity may
prohibit, delay or refuse to grant approval for the acquisition,
(ii) the risk that the expected benefits or synergies of the
acquisition will not be realized, (iii) the risk that the
milestones may not be achieved and resulting payments may not be
realized, and (iv) unanticipated difficulties or expenditures
relating to the proposed acquisition, including the response of
business partners and competitors to the announcement of the
proposed acquisition or difficulties in employee retention as a
result of the announcement and pendency of the proposed
acquisition. The actual financial impact of this transaction may
differ from the expected financial impact described in this press
release. In addition, the compounds described in this press release
are subject to all the risks inherent in the drug development
process, and there can be no assurance that the development of
these compounds will be commercially successful. No forward-looking
statement can be guaranteed. In addition, the forward-looking
statements included in this press release represent the company’s
views as of the date hereof and should not be relied upon as
representing the company’s views as of any date subsequent to the
date hereof. The company anticipates that subsequent events and
developments will cause the company’s views to change. However,
while the company may elect to update these forward-looking
statements at some point in the future, the company specifically
disclaims any obligation to do so.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250210114240/en/
Blackstone Paula Chirhart:
Paula.Chirhart@blackstone.com
Anthos Media contact: media@anthostherapeutics.com
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