Arrowhead acquires Novartis' RNAi R&D portfolio

7 March 2015

USA-based nano-medicine developer Arrowhead Research Corp (Nasdaq: ARWR) revealed on Thursday that it has acquired Swiss pharma giant Novartis' (NOVN: VX) entire RNAi R&D portfolio and associated assets. Initially, Arrowhead’s shares soared 11% following the news, but dipped 2.4% to $7.75 by close of trading on Friday.

The acquisition includes assignment of certain patents and patent applications owned or controlled by Novartis related to RNAi therapeutics, an exclusive license in the RNAi field to other patents and patent applications owned or controlled by Novartis, assignment of a third party license, three pre-clinical RNAi candidates, and other related assets.

Arrowhead has previously acquired RNA therapeutics assets from Swiss drug major Roche (ROG: SIX) including the state-of-the-art research site in Madison, Wisconsin, USA.

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