Novartis, BOW Pharmaceuticals Expand Cardiovascular Collaboration, $5.2B Potential

Novartis (NVS.US) and BOW Pharmaceuticals have announced a new strategic cooperation agreement to jointly develop multiple cardiovascular products. This agreement, signed on September 3, 2025, builds upon an existing collaboration established in January 2024. The partnership aims to leverage the strengths of both companies to advance innovative solutions in the cardiovascular field.

The collaboration includes several key components. BOW Pharmaceuticals has granted Novartis the option to select the rights to two early-stage molecules outside of China for treating severe hypertriglyceridemia (sHTG) and mixed dyslipidemia. Additionally, Novartis has been given the right to negotiate first for the BW-00112 (ANGPTL3) product, which is currently in Phase II clinical trials in the United States and China. BOW Pharmaceuticals will lead the joint clinical trials for combination therapies involving this product.

For another siRNA candidate drug in the preclinical research stage, BOW Pharmaceuticals has granted Novartis exclusive licensing rights outside of China, with an option for shared profits and losses (P&L) in the United States and China. This product is expected to enter Phase I clinical trials in 2026.

Under the terms of the agreement, BOW Pharmaceuticals will receive an upfront payment of $160 million. The company may also receive potential milestone and equity payments, as well as tiered royalties on commercial sales, with a total potential milestone value of $5.2 billion. Additionally, Novartis has expressed preliminary interest in participating in BOW Pharmaceuticals' next round of equity financing, with the specifics of the investment amount and timing to be determined through due diligence and formal agreement negotiations.

This strategic partnership is significant for both companies and the broader healthcare community. By combining their expertise and resources, Novartis and BOW Pharmaceuticals aim to accelerate the development of new cardiovascular treatments. This collaboration is expected to bring forth novel therapies that could improve patient outcomes and address unmet medical needs in the cardiovascular space.

The decision to expand their collaboration comes at a critical time, as the demand for effective cardiovascular treatments continues to rise. Cardiovascular diseases remain a leading cause of mortality worldwide, and there is a pressing need for innovative therapies that can better manage and treat these conditions. The joint efforts of Novartis and BOW Pharmaceuticals are poised to make a meaningful impact in this area.

In addition to the new cardiovascular products, the agreement includes provisions for further collaboration on other therapeutic areas, indicating a long-term commitment from both companies to work together on various projects. This partnership underscores the importance of collaborations in driving innovation and progress in the pharmaceutical industry.

The successful completion of the oral PCSK9 inhibitor's Phase III clinical trial by Novartis is another significant milestone in their cardiovascular research efforts. This achievement highlights the company's commitment to developing groundbreaking therapies that can transform the treatment landscape for cardiovascular diseases. The positive results from the trial further strengthen the foundation for the collaboration with BOW Pharmaceuticals, as both companies can now focus on bringing these innovative treatments to market.

Overall, the strategic partnership between Novartis and BOW Pharmaceuticals represents a significant step forward in the development of new cardiovascular treatments. By leveraging their combined expertise and resources, the two companies are well-positioned to make a substantial impact in the field of cardiovascular health. This collaboration is expected to yield innovative therapies that can improve patient outcomes and address the growing need for effective cardiovascular treatments.