Novartis Expands Cardiovascular Portfolio With Planned Acquisition Of Tourmaline Bio And Its Lead Asset Pacibekitug For ASCVD

Novartis announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Tourmaline Bio, Inc., a New York-based, publicly traded clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company. Tourmaline’s lead asset, pacibekitug, is an anti-IL-6 monoclonal antibody (mAb) being developed as a treatment for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). By targeting IL-6, a key cytokine driving systemic inflammation, pacibekitug is designed to address residual inflammatory risk, a major unmet need in cardiovascular care. The acquisition will provide Novartis with a Phase 3-ready therapy that strengthens and complements its existing cardiovascular pipeline.

Pacibekitug, an investigational IgG2 human monoclonal antibody, has shown high-affinity binding to IL-6 and demonstrated strong clinical results. Data from the Phase 2 TRANQUILITY study, released in May 2025, showed median reductions in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels of 85% at a dose of 15 mg once monthly and 86% at a dose of 50 mg once quarterly, through day 90. The safety profile was comparable to placebo, highlighting both efficacy and tolerability. With convenient quarterly administration, pacibekitug has the potential to offer a new therapeutic option for patients with ASCVD.

Shreeram Aradhye, President, Development and Chief Medical Officer, Novartis, stated, “With no widely adopted anti-inflammatory therapies currently available for cardiovascular risk reduction, pacibekitug represents a potential breakthrough in addressing residual inflammatory risk in ASCVD with a differentiated mechanism of action targeting IL-6. Inflammation is a major driver of cardiovascular disease, and the team at Tourmaline has made significant progress with this asset. We are excited to bring pacibekitug into the Novartis portfolio and collaborate with the Tourmaline team to advance its development as we diversify our efforts in cardiovascular care.”

Under the terms of the agreement, unanimously approved by both companies’ Boards of Directors, Novartis will, through an indirect wholly owned subsidiary, launch a tender offer to acquire all outstanding shares of Tourmaline common stock. Shareholders of Tourmaline will receive USD 48 per share in cash upon closing. Following the tender offer, Tourmaline will merge into the Novartis subsidiary, becoming an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Novartis.

The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2025, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals and the tender of a majority of Tourmaline’s outstanding shares. Until then, both Novartis and Tourmaline will continue to operate as independent companies. This acquisition highlights Novartis’ commitment to advancing innovative therapies in cardiovascular medicine and reinforces its strategy to address significant unmet needs through targeted, science-driven innovation.