NOVARTIS

Novartis is ending development of VHB937 for ALS after the phase‑2 study failed to meet both primary and secondary endpoints. The setback comes amid other disappointments this month, including the termination of Del‑Desiran in a late‑stage trial, disappointing results for Pelacarsen, and a temporary pause of cell‑therapy studies following three deaths. The news weighed on the share price, and analysts warn the failures could raise doubts about Novartis’ growth prospects beyond 2030. » Altro su 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. » Altro su 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. » Altro su finance.yahoo.com