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Novartis' centerpiece of $12B Avidity buyout flunks 'crucial' phase 3 test

Published

8 September 2026

Topic

opportunities

Sectors

Biotech

Geography

Switzerland

Source

Read at fiercebiotech.com

Verified

Fusion42 · 8 September 2026 · Fusion42 review

Novartis' antibody oligonucleotide conjugate del-desiran failed to meet the primary endpoint in a pivotal phase 3 trial for myotonic dystrophy type 1, undermining expectations for the $12 billion Avidity Biosciences acquisition. This setback clouds the drug’s contribution to future sales, prompting Novartis to reassess development plans with health authorities.

This Wire brief sits within Fusion42's coverage of Biotech.

◆ The Wire takeaway

You need to rethink your biotech pipeline if it leans on late-stage neuromuscular assets like del-desiran. The biggest prize in Novartis’ Avidity buyout just stumbled, opening room for competitors to capture orphan disease markets you target.

Coverage

1 source · 8 Sep 2026

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Topics

Biotechphase-3-failuremyotonic-dystrophynovartisavidity-biosciencesbiotech-m&a