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Novartis Acquires Kate Therapeutics for $1.1 Billion to Advance Gene Therapies for Neuromuscular Diseases

NextEdge Admin

23 Nov 2024

2 min 9 sec

Kate Therapeutics,gene therapies,Neuroscience,Research

Novartis has announced the acquisition of San Diego-based Kate Therapeutics in a deal valued at $1.1 billion, bolstering its portfolio of gene therapies for inherited neuromuscular diseases. The agreement includes an upfront cash payment and additional milestone-based payments.

Kate Therapeutics, a preclinical-stage biotech firm, specializes in adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based gene therapies. The acquisition adds its preclinical candidates targeting Duchenne muscular dystrophy, facioscapulohumeral dystrophy, and myotonic dystrophy type 1 to Novartis' pipeline.

Novartis Neuroscience Research global head Robert Baloh highlighted the strategic importance of the acquisition, stating it enhances Novartis' neuroscience drug discovery capabilities and reinforces its commitment to addressing unmet needs in inherited neuromuscular conditions. He emphasized the acquisition’s role in overcoming the limitations of existing gene therapies.

Kate Therapeutics brings its DELIVER platform, which combines diverse capsid libraries, in vivo selection, and machine learning to evolve capsid variants. This approach enables targeted payload delivery to specific tissues, potentially minimizing off-target effects on organs like the liver.

Fiona Marshall, Novartis Biomedical Research president, praised Kate’s scientific rigor and platform technologies, expressing confidence that this acquisition would strengthen Novartis’ efforts in gene therapy and neuroscience innovation.

The deal follows Novartis’ recent collaboration with Ratio Therapeutics to develop a radiotherapeutic targeting somatostatin receptor 2 for cancer treatment, further underscoring the company’s commitment to advancing cutting-edge therapies.