Declares Entry into Next-Generation ADC Market via NMTi Payload Platform

Novartis has entered into an agreement to acquire Myricx Bio, a UK-based biotech company, for up to $1.5 billion, significantly strengthening its antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) portfolio. The core of this acquisition lies in securing Myricx's proprietary N-myristoyltransferase inhibitor (NMTi) payload platform technology. Unlike existing ADC therapies that primarily use Topoisomerase 1 (TOPO-1) inhibitors as payloads and face issues with resistance development, NMTi presents a completely new mechanism of action by inhibiting protein lipidation in cancer cells. Through this, Novartis aims to provide innovative treatment options for patients with solid tumors that do not respond to existing therapies and to take the lead in next-generation ADC technology.

Secures Promising Preclinical Pipeline Assets MYX2449 and MYX2470

Through the acquisition, Novartis gains access to Myricx's lead preclinical ADC pipeline assets, MYX2449 and MYX2470. MYX2449 targets HER2 (Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2), a key target in breast and gastric cancers, while MYX2470 targets B7-H3 (CD276), an emerging immune checkpoint target overexpressed in various solid tumors. Both candidates have demonstrated excellent tumor-inhibiting efficacy and a favorable safety profile in preclinical studies, increasing the likelihood of clinical entry. Novartis plans to combine its in-house clinical development capabilities and substantial capital to accelerate the entry of these assets into clinical trials.

Global Big Pharma Competition for Targeted ADC Technology Intensifies

Currently, the global ADC market is dominated by Enhertu (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan), co-developed by AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo, and competition among big pharma companies to secure technology is fiercer than ever. With Enhertu generating approximately $4.982 billion in global sales in the 2025 fiscal year, demonstrating its market potential, competitors are focusing on securing new targets and differentiated payload technologies. In particular, the B7-H3 targeted therapy market is an untapped blue ocean, projected to grow from $2.8 billion in 2025 to $9.6 billion in 2034, with an annual growth rate of 14.6%. Novartis's acquisition is interpreted as a move to directly counter strong competing pipeline assets, such as ifinatamab deruxtecan (I-DXd), co-developed by Daiichi Sankyo and Merck.

Bold Financial Investment and M&A to Fill Technological Gaps

Novartis's deal, valued at up to $1.5 billion, including an upfront payment of $1.1 billion and potential milestone payments of $400 million, clearly demonstrates the company's willingness to invest substantial capital to quickly close the technological gap it has faced compared to competitors in the ADC field. Choosing mergers and acquisitions (M&A) over licensing agreements reflects the intention to fully internalize the platform technology to maximize future scalability. Market experts believe that this acquisition will be a major turning point in restructuring Novartis's oncology business around a next-generation precision medicine platform.