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Novartis to Acquire MorphoSys AG for €2.7B

To gain pelabresib and ruxolitinib combo, which offers potential for first line of treatment in myelofibrosis with regulatory filing planned 2H24.

Novartis has entered an agreement to make a voluntary public takeover offer to acquire MorphoSys AG, a Germany-based, global biopharmaceutical company developing oncology medicines, for €2.7 billion. The acquisition, subject to customary closing conditions, further expands Novartis’ oncology pipeline as well as its global footprint in hematology.
 
Upon completion, Novartis will own pelabresib (CPI-0610), a novel treatment option with a well-tolerated safety profile provided in combination with ruxolitinib for patients with myelofibrosis (MF). It will also include tulmimetostat (CPI-0209), an early-stage investigational dual inhibitor of enhancer of zeste homolog 1 and 2 (EZH1 and EZH2) proteins currently being tested in solid tumors or lymphomas.
 
Pelabresib in combination with ruxolitinib recently met its primary endpoint of spleen volume reduction in a Phase 3 study in JAK inhibitor-naive MF patients. The combination also demonstrated favorable trends in symptom improvement. Regulatory filing with the U.S. FDA is planned for the second half of 2024.
 
Pelabresib is an investigational small molecule designed to promote anti-tumor activity by selectively inhibiting the function of bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) proteins to decrease the expression of abnormally expressed genes in cancer. Pelabresib is also being studied in essential thrombocythemia (ET). MorphoSys’ pipeline also includes a broad portfolio of partnered assets of which some are in partnership with Novartis, including ianalumab (VAY736) which is studied across multiple immunological diseases and in hematology.
 
“We are excited about the opportunity of bringing pelabresib, a potential next-generation treatment combined with ruxolitinib, to people living with myelofibrosis, a rare and debilitating form of blood cancer,” said Shreeram Aradhye, M.D., President, Development and Chief Medical Officer of Novartis. “With the planned acquisition of MorphoSys, we aim to further strengthen our leading pipeline and portfolio in oncology, adding to our capabilities and expertise. Building on our long-standing development partnership with MorphoSys, we look forward to continuing our work together.” 

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