Novartis to acquire US-based Mariana Oncology in $1.75 bn deal

Swiss drug maker Novartis has agreed to acquire US-based Mariana Oncology in a deal worth $1.75 billion, as the company seeks advance the development of precision treatment for cancer.

Watertown, Massachusetts-based Mariana Oncology is a preclinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing novel radioligand therapies for cancers where other treatments are insufficient.

Mariana Oncology is working on innovative radioligand therapies (RLTs) for solid tumor indications such as breast, prostate that are in different stages of development varying from lead optimisation to early development. The current list includes development candidate MC-339, an actinium-based RLT being investigated in small cell lung cancer.

RLTs are a type of precision treatment that combines a tumor-targeting molecule (ligand) and a therapeutic radioisotope (a radioactive particle). RLTs use therapeutic radioisotopes to target specific receptors on certain types of tumors, causing DNA damage, potentially triggering cell death and inhibiting cell growth and replication. This targeted delivery of radiation helps limit damage to the surrounding cells.

Novartis will make an upfront payment of $1 billion and additional $750 million in payments based on the achievement of certain milestones.

The transaction expands Novartis’s research infrastructure and clinical research capabilities in oncology treatment.

Novartis currently has two approved RLTs for treating metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer and for certain types of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. Besides, it has several  programmes  entering clinical phase, as well as preclinical and discovery programmes.