Novartis has signalled its growing interest in neuroscience and RNA technologies with the proposed acquisition of Avidity Biosciences Inc which has three late clinical-stage assets for genetic neuromuscular diseases. Novartis will pay approximately $12 billion in cash for the San Diego, US, company, in a transaction that is expected to close in the first half of 2026. Prior to the close, Avidity will spin-off earlier-stage programmes in cardiology into a new, separate company which could potentially be sold to a third party.
