Novartis' $1.5B ADC Acquisition Highlights Growing Pharma Demand; VERAXA Biotech Well-Positioned in Active Partnering Environment

Novartis has agreed to acquire Myricx Bio for $1.1 billion upfront, with up to $400 million in milestone payments, reinforcing strong pharmaceutical demand for next-generation antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) technologies. The deal, announced this week, grants Novartis access to Myricx's novel N-myristoyltransferase inhibitor (NMTi) payload platform and two lead ADC programs. This acquisition is the latest in a series of multibillion-dollar deals in the ADC and T-cell engager (TCE) space, highlighting continued strategic investment in differentiated antibody platforms.

The transaction follows other major antibody therapeutics deals, including Jazz Pharmaceuticals' collaboration with AbCellera, Gilead Sciences' acquisition of Tubulis, and multiple multibillion-dollar ADC licensing agreements. VERAXA Biotech (NASDAQ: VRXA) operates in one of biotechnology's most active partnering environments, with pharmaceutical companies continuing to commit billions of dollars to differentiated antibody therapeutics. VERAXA is advancing proprietary antibody therapeutics spanning both ADCs and TCEs through its patented BiTAC platform, positioning the company within two therapeutic categories that continue to attract significant pharmaceutical investment, strategic collaborations, and acquisition activity.

At VERAXA, the company is building a premier engine for the discovery and development of next-generation antibody-based therapeutics, including bispecific T cell engagers, bispecific ADCs, and other innovative formats. Powered by a suite of transformative technologies and guided by rigorous quality-by-design principles, VERAXA is rapidly advancing its pipeline of ADCs and proprietary BiTAC formats into clinical development and beyond. VERAXA was founded on scientific breakthroughs made at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), a world-renowned institution known for pioneering life science research and cutting-edge technology.

The Novartis acquisition of Myricx Bio reflects continued industry demand for innovative antibody technologies capable of addressing limitations of existing cancer therapies. For VERAXA shareholders, this trend signals a favorable environment for potential partnerships or future acquisitions. As pharmaceutical companies seek to strengthen their oncology pipelines, platforms like VERAXA's BiTAC, which enables both ADCs and TCEs, become increasingly valuable. The company's ability to operate across multiple high-interest modalities positions it well to capitalize on this momentum.

VERAXA Biotech AG (NASDAQ: VRXA) is focused on discovering and developing next-generation antibody-based therapeutics. The company's BiTAC platform is a registered trademark of VERAXA Biotech GmbH. For more information, visit the company's newsroom at http://ibn.fm/VRXA.