Novartis is expanding its global innovation footprint with three new developments in neuroscience, dermatology, and malaria treatment.  

In a notable move to advance neurological drug delivery, the Swiss pharma giant has signed an exclusive option agreement with Chinese biotech firm Sironax to potentially acquire its proprietary Brain Delivery Module (BDM) platform.

BDM is a differentiated blood-brain-barrier (BBB) crossing technology designed to enhance the brain delivery of therapeutics of various modalities.

Under the agreement, Novartis will evaluate the BDM platform during the agreed option period, after which it may acquire full global rights to the BDM platform.

Sironax is eligible to receive up to INR 175 million in upfront and near-term payments. The company will also retain the right to continue developing selected therapeutic assets using the platform.  

Robert Baloh, Global Head of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research at Novartis, highlighted that delivering therapeutics effectively across the blood-brain barrier remains one of the most important challenges in drug discovery.

“We’re excited to enter into this agreement with Sironax to fully explore the promise of the BDM platform, leveraging our deep expertise and capabilities in neuroscience to bring forward next-generation therapies for patients in need,” he said.

Sironax CEO Dr. Shefali Agarwal believes that the partnership will maximise the potential impact of their brain delivery platform by combining Novartis’s global expertise in neuroscience with the company’s high-quality innovation.

 “At the same time, we will continue to explore our targets of interest with the platform and deliver brain-penetrant therapeutics. This strategic alignment empowers Sironax to accelerate its global expansion and clinical development, reinforcing our commitment to redefining what’s possible for patients living with serious neurological conditions,” she added.

Simultaneously, Novartis has achieved an important milestone in Canada with its dermatology portfolio. The company concluded negotiations with the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA) on the public reimbursement of Cosentyx (secukinumab) for the treatment of adults with moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) – a painful and often debilitating inflammatory skin condition.

Québec has become the first province to provide public reimbursement for Cosentyx in HS.  

"Concluding pCPA negotiations for Cosentyx in HS is an important step toward improving access to a therapy grounded in strong science and real patient need," said Mark Vineis, Country President, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc.

In another remarkable achievement, Swissmedic has recently approved Novartis’ Coartem (artemether-lumefantrine) Baby as the first malaria medicine for newborn babies and young infants.

The new treatment, also known as Riamet Baby in some countries, was developed in collaboration with Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) to treat the potentially deadly mosquito-borne disease.

Eight African countries also participated in the joint regulatory review and are now expected to issue rapid approvals under the Swiss agency’s Marketing Authorization for Global Health Products procedure.

Novartis plans to introduce the treatment on a largely not-for-profit basis to increase access in areas where malaria is endemic.

“For more than three decades, we have stayed the course in the fight against malaria, working relentlessly to deliver scientific breakthroughs where they are needed most,” said Vas Narasimhan, CEO of Novartis.

“Together with our partners, we are proud to have gone further to develop the first clinically proven malaria treatment for newborns and young babies, ensuring even the smallest and most vulnerable can finally receive the care they deserve,” he added.

In June, Novartis completed its acquisition of Regulus through the merger of its indirect wholly owned subsidiary, Redwood Merger Sub Inc.

Following the transaction, Novartis is set to the next step in advancing clinical development for a potential medicine that can help treat patients suffering from ADPKD (autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease), the most common genetic cause of renal failure worldwide.