Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Novartis Enter $200M Global License and Collaboration Agreement.

Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals and Novartis have entered into a global license and collaboration agreement for ARO-SNCA, a preclinical stage siRNA therapy for synucleinopathies, such as Parkinson's Disease. Upon closing, Arrowhead will receive a $200 million upfront payment, with Novartis gaining exclusive worldwide rights to the therapy. The deal also includes additional collaboration targets that will utilize Arrowhead's proprietary TRiMTM platform.

Novartis and Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals have entered into a global license and collaboration agreement for ARO-SNCA, a preclinical stage siRNA therapy aimed at treating synucleinopathies, including Parkinson's Disease. The deal, announced on September 2, 2025, includes an upfront payment of $200 million to Arrowhead, with Novartis gaining exclusive worldwide rights to the therapy [1][2][3][4].

Under the agreement, Novartis will receive an exclusive worldwide license to research, develop, manufacture, and commercialize ARO-SNCA. The therapy uses Arrowhead's proprietary Targeted RNAi Molecule (TRiM™) platform for subcutaneous administration and delivery to the central nervous system (CNS), targeting the gene that encodes the alpha-synuclein protein. In addition to ARO-SNCA, Novartis can select additional collaboration targets outside of Arrowhead's current pipeline for development using the TRiM™ platform [1][2][3][4].

Arrowhead will conduct and complete preclinical research activities necessary to enable a clinical trial application (CTA) filing, after which Novartis will assume sole control over development, manufacturing, medical affairs, and commercialization activities. The deal also includes milestone payments of up to $2 billion and tiered royalties on commercial sales, with the transaction expected to close in the second half of 2025, subject to the expiration or termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino [1][2][3][4].

Novartis and Arrowhead have both expressed optimism about the potential of the TRiM™ platform to deliver RNA medicines effectively to the brain, which could significantly impact neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's. Novartis, with a robust neuroscience pipeline and a clear commitment to neurodegenerative diseases and genetic medicines, is a compelling partner for Arrowhead in the CNS space [1][2][3][4].

References:

[1] https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/novartis-takes-another-shot-alpha-synuclein-22b-arrowhead-deal
[2] https://www.biospace.com/business/arrowhead-nabs-up-to-2b-novartis-commitment-for-sirna-parkinsons-program
[3] https://seekingalpha.com/news/4491104-arrowhead-pharmaceuticals-and-novartis-sign-global-deal-for-sirna-therapy
[4] https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250902646250/en/Arrowhead-Pharmaceuticals-and-Novartis-Enter-into-a-Global-License-and-Collaboration-Agreement