NOVARTIS

Novartis is discontinuing development of VHB937 for ALS after the study failed to meet both primary and secondary endpoints. The failure follows a series of other clinical setbacks this month, including the termination of Del-Desiran and disappointing results for Pelacarsen, as well as the pausing of several cell therapy studies. The news has weighed on the share price; the stock has lost around 9 percent over the past 30 days. » More on finanzen.net

Novartis has exercised its purchase option on Sironax's technology platform and is acquiring worldwide rights for US$125 million. The platform is designed to transport various therapeutics—such as monoclonal antibodies, peptides, proteins and gene therapies—across the blood–brain barrier into the brain. Sironax retains selected rights to develop and commercialize certain drugs itself. The technology could enable new treatments for diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s and ALS. Novartis shares rose as much as about 1.0 percent in SIX trading to CHF 114.98. » More on finanzen.net

Novartis reported its late-stage pelacarsen trial did not achieve a statistically significant reduction in cardiovascular events despite lowering Lp(a) levels. The setback knocked Amgen shares sharply but Lilly's stock fell only modestly because lepodisiran uses a different mechanism, showed larger Lp(a) reductions in phase 2, and is being tested in a broader patient population. Lilly's strong diabetes and obesity franchises and its VERVE-102 gene‑editing program mitigate the pelacarsen impact, making the Novartis result a potential risk to Lilly's Lp(a) prospects but not a company‑wide game changer. » More on finance.yahoo.com