Novartis Acquires Blackstone’s Anthos Therapeutics For Up To $3.1 Billion To Strengthen Cardiovascular Portfolio

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

February 11, 2025

Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis has struck a deal to acquire Anthos Therapeutics, a biopharma company majority-owned by Blackstone’s drug development arm, for up to $3.1 billion. The acquisition is aimed at bolstering Novartis’ presence in the cardiovascular sector, a key focus for the company as its blockbuster heart failure drug Entresto faces patent expiration this year.

Founded in 2019 by Blackstone’s Life Sciences division and Novartis, Anthos was created to develop abelacimab, a promising treatment designed to prevent strokes and prevent recurring blood clots. This transaction underscores Novartis’ commitment to cardiovascular treatments, which is one of five critical therapeutic areas the company is prioritizing.

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The deal, which is expected to close by mid-2025, marks a significant step in the evolving partnership between a major pharmaceutical company and private equity, a model that has gained traction in the industry. Novartis will pay an initial $925 million, with potential additional payments up to $2.15 billion, contingent on the successful development of the therapy.

This marks the largest sale of a majority-owned company by Blackstone’s Life Sciences division to date. In December 2023, Blackstone was exploring the sale of Anthos, and the current deal brings the partnership to a close.

Abelacimab is part of a new class of anticoagulants known as factor XI inhibitors, designed to potentially replace established blood thinners like Eliquis (Bristol Myers-Squibb and Pfizer) and Xarelto (Johnson & Johnson and Bayer), both of which are billion-dollar sellers. Other major companies in the factor XI race include Bristol-Myers Squibb and Johnson & Johnson, who are advancing a similar drug candidate, as well as Merck & Co, which is progressing with a mid-stage development candidate. Bayer, meanwhile, faced a setback in 2023 with its factor XI drug.

Nicholas Galakatos, Chairman of Anthos’ board and Global Head of Blackstone Life Sciences expressed pride in the firm’s role in launching and growing Anthos, adding, “We believe abelacimab has the potential to be a leader in the new class of Factor XI anticoagulants and are pleased to have Novartis as a committed partner to advance the development and commercialization of abelacimab for millions of patients at risk of strokes.”

Anthos is currently conducting multiple Phase 3 clinical trials, with data expected in the second half of 2026. While Novartis holds a small minority equity stake in Anthos, the company has not disclosed the exact size of this investment.

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EU Agrees On Major Overhaul Of Financial Market Supervision

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

October 9, 2026

European Union finance ministers have reached agreement on a sweeping package designed to strengthen oversight of the bloc’s financial markets, in a move aimed at reducing fragmentation and improving the flow of capital across borders.

A Push To Deepen Capital Markets

The Market Integration and Supervision Package, or MISP, would grant the European Securities and Markets Authority direct supervision over major market operators that are currently regulated by national authorities. The reforms are intended to make Europe’s capital markets more integrated, more efficient and better able to channel savings into productive investment.

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According to the Irish presidency, the package is meant to help savings and investments move more freely across the European Union, improving access to finance for companies while giving households broader opportunities to earn returns on their savings.

What The Reform Would Change

Under the new framework, ESMA would take direct oversight of key trading venues, clearing houses, securities settlement bodies and crypto-asset service providers. The package would also establish a permanent, independent executive board within the regulator, strengthening its institutional capacity.

Market operators would be able to opt into a new EU-wide operating framework. In parallel, the reforms would seek to make national supervision more consistent and update rules governing trading, transaction completion, investment management and the use of blockchain technology.

Why The Agreement Matters

Supporters of deeper capital markets argue that Europe has long paid a price for regulatory inconsistency. While many rules are harmonised across the bloc, differences in enforcement and supervision have contributed to a patchwork system that can make cross-border investment slower and more costly.

A more integrated framework, proponents say, could lower costs for companies seeking funding and broaden the menu of investment options available to savers and institutional investors alike.

Outstanding Questions Remain

Despite the broad agreement, some important details remain unresolved. Trading venues operated by Deutsche Börse, the company behind the Frankfurt stock exchange, may remain outside ESMA’s direct supervision.

Euronews previously reported that Germany had secured an exemption for Deutsche Börse’s domestically focused trading venues, leaving part of the system under regional supervision. The latest announcement did not clarify whether that arrangement will stand.

A Step Forward For The Savings And Investments Union

Dutch Finance Minister Eelco Heinen welcomed the deal, calling it a major advance for the Capital Markets Union and saying Europe had made more progress in 10 months than in the previous 10 years.

The agreement is an important milestone in the Savings and Investments Union, the EU’s broader effort to channel more of Europeans’ savings into investments that can support growth, innovation and competitiveness across the bloc.

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