Novartis has secured an exclusive worldwide license from Zonsen PepLib Biotech for an internally developed peptide-based radioligand therapy asset, paying an upfront fee of USD 50 million. Under the agreement, Novartis assumes full responsibility for global development and commercialization, with PepLib eligible for additional development, regulatory and sales milestones as well as tiered royalties on net sales. This transaction bolsters Novartis’s established RLT portfolio and leverages its late-stage clinical and manufacturing capabilities to accelerate a next-generation targeted oncology treatment toward potential registration filings.

Speaking at a major industry conference in San Francisco, CEO Vasant Narasimhan reiterated that Novartis will continue to execute bolt-on acquisitions to complement its core franchises in oncology, cardiovascular and neuroscience. Narasimhan confirmed capital allocation priorities remain focused on R&D productivity and targeted M&A deals in the USD 100 million to USD 1 billion range, aiming to fill pipeline gaps and expand regional market access without diverting resources from key late-stage programs.

Novartis has entered into a licensing agreement with SciNeuro Pharmaceuticals worth nearly USD 1.7 billion to develop antibody candidates targeting Alzheimer’s disease. The deal features upfront and milestone payments linked to clinical, regulatory and commercial objectives, alongside royalties on product sales. This collaboration accelerates Novartis’s efforts in neurodegeneration, adding two preclinical immunotherapy programs to its pipeline and reinforcing its commitment to high-unmet-need CNS disorders.