Novartis agreed to acquire SNV4818, an experimental oral breast cancer drug from Synnovation Therapeutics, for $2 billion upfront plus up to $1 billion in milestones, totaling up to $3 billion.1234
SNV4818 is a pan-mutant-selective PI3Kα inhibitor in Phase 1/2 trials for HR+/HER2- breast cancer and potentially other solid tumors, targeting mutated PI3Kα while sparing normal cells to reduce side effects.1234
The deal involves acquiring Pikavation Therapeutics, a Synnovation subsidiary holding the PI3K inhibitor programs, and is expected to close in the first half of 2026 pending regulatory approvals.234
Announcement made on March 20, 2026, strengthening Novartis' oncology pipeline in HR+/HER2- breast cancer, where ~40% of patients have PIK3CA mutations.4
Shreeram Aradhye, Novartis' President of Development, highlighted SNV4818's potential for better tolerability and combination with hormonal therapies.34
Sources:
1. https://www.statnews.com/2026/03/20/novartis-acquires-synnovation-breast-cancer-drug-snv4818/
2. https://www.borsaitaliana.it/borsa/notizie/radiocor/finance/dettaglio/novartis-to-buy-breast-cancer-drug-from-synnovation-for-up-to-3-bln-usd-nRC200320260805_82151562.html?lang=en
3. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/business/novartis-to-buy-experimental-breast-cancer-drug-in-up-to-3-billion-deal/articleshow/129696688.cms
4. https://www.marketscreener.com/news/novartis-agrees-to-acquire-a-pan-mutant-selective-pi3ki-inhibitor-strengthening-its-breast-cancer-ce7e5edfd88aff27