Novartis is to spend $1.4 billion to expand its pipeline of drugs for cardiovascular diseases with the acquisition of US-based Tourmaline Bio Inc. Tourmaline’s lead asset, pacibekitug, a monoclonal antibody in development for atherosclrotic cardiovascular disease. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter. Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is caused by a build-up of plaque in the arterial walls and includes coronary heart disease and cerebrovascular disease.
