Novartis is paying $1.4 billion to acquire Tourmaline Bio and its sole drug, pacibekitug, an interleukin (IL)-6-targeted antibody for tackling inflammation leading to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The repositioned IL-6 inhibitor, in-licensed from Pfizer, showed effects on a key biomarker and is set for phase 3 trials. Inflammation is known risk factor for cardiovascular disease, but current therapies mainly target high cholesterol. The only therapy approved for inflammatory cardiovascular disease is Lodoco (colchicine), an old alkaloid drug that has a narrow therapeutic window.
Pacibekitug is a fully human IgG2 monoclonal antibody that binds IL-6, preventing it from interacting with its receptor. This blockade stops the pro-inflammatory signaling that drives atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Pacibekitug can be dosed quarterly, unlike competitor Novo Nordisk’s drug ziltivekimab, which also targets IL-6 and is in phase 3 trials for cardiovascular disease, but requires monthly dosing.
