Blackstone launches cardio-focused biopharma with Novartis

28-Feb-2019 - Last updated on 28-Feb-2019 at 16:02 GMT

(Image: Getty/magicmine)

Blackstone launches Anthos Therapeutics, with the help of Novartis, to develop targeted therapies for cardiovascular disease.

Anthos was launched after Blackstone Life Sciences, a private investment platform, provided $250m (€219.6m) in capital and Novartis agreed to license an anti-thrombotic treatment candidate.

Blackstone will control the development of Anthos’ while Novartis will retain a minority equity interest in the new biopharma company.

Anthos has licensed Novartis’ MAA868, an antibody targeting Factor XI and XIa and possible anti-coagulant therapy, to treat thrombotic disorders. The monoclonal antibody (mAb) has the potential to prevent cardiovascular disorders with minimal or no bleeding risk.

“The need for new medicines to treat cardiovascular diseases is clear, and this agreement is part of our strategy to work with innovators outside our walls to advanced medicines that have the potential to have a positive impact for patients,” Jay Bradner, president of Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, said in a statement.

Novartis and Blackstone to lead

Anthos’ board of directors includes Blackstone and Novartis executives. Jonathan Freeman, senior advisor at Blackstone, will join as chief operating officer. John Glasspool will join Anthos as CEO, after working for Novartis’ cardiovascular franchise for 30 years.

Glasspool stated in a press release that he is looking forward to leading the company as “Anthos is well-positioned to leverage contributions from Blackstone and Novartis to deliver life-saving therapies to patients with cardiovascular disease. We are building a leading cardiovascular company, laser-focused on genetically and pharmacologically validated targets.”