Novartis and Versant Invest $150M in Kidney Biotech Borealis to Replicate Chinook’s Success

Investment in Borealis:
Novartis and Versant have invested $150 million in series A funding for Borealis Biosciences, a kidney-focused biotech company.

Replicating Success:
The investment aims to replicate the success of Chinook Therapeutics, which Novartis acquired for $3.2 billion upfront in June 2024.

Focus on Kidney Disease:
Borealis Biosciences is focused on addressing chronic kidney disease, a significant health concern.

Impact of IRA:
Novartis is considering the impact of the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) on its R&D strategies and acquisitions, aiming to manage or avoid its effects.

Futureproofing Acquisitions:
Novartis CEO Vas Narasimhan emphasized the importance of futureproofing acquisitions by considering the IRA's impact on drug pricing and development.