Novartis acquires auto-immune rights to Arzerra (ofatumumab) from GSK
GSK announced an agreement with Novartis Pharma AG, a subsidiary of Novartis AG, to divest its rights in Arzerra (ofatumumab) for auto-immune indications, including multiple sclerosis. Novartis Pharma previously acquired the oncology indications for ofatumumab as part of the major three-part transaction between GSK and Novartis that completed earlier this year. After completion of the transaction, Novartis Pharma will own rights to ofatumumab in all indications.
Comment: The transaction is expected to complete by the end of 2015.Comment: The transaction is part of a larger movement within Novartis to find a replacement for Gilenya which will face generic competition as soon as 2019. Ofatumumab will join BAF 312 (now in Phase III) in the Novartis MS pipeline, which also includes secukinumab, an interleukin-17 inhibitor now approved to treat psoriasis.
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