Novartis announced on Mar. 20 that it will acquire Pikavation Therapeutics, a subsidiary of Delaware-based Synnovation Therapeutics, for $2 billion upfront and up to $1 billion in milestone payments. The acquisition gives Novartis access to a pipeline of PI3Kα programs, including the lead candidate SNV4818, which is currently in Phase 1/2 development for breast cancer and advanced solid tumors.
The move comes as competition intensifies among pharmaceutical companies developing therapies targeting the PI3Kα enzyme, which plays a key role in HR+/HER2- breast cancer. According to Shreeram Aradhye, president of Development at Novartis, “PI3Kα is a well-established driver in HR+/HER2- breast cancer.” He added that mutations to this gene can worsen disease prognosis.
SNV4818 is designed to specifically target mutated forms of PI3Kα found in cancer cells while sparing normal versions of the protein. Novartis said this selectivity distinguishes SNV4818 from other drugs that do not differentiate between altered and wild-type forms of the enzyme. Aradhye said, “SNV4818’s bias for mutated PI3Kα has the potential to translate proven biology into improved tolerability and more durable benefit for patients through precision medicine.”
The deal is expected to close in the first half of this year and will also give Novartis access to other PI3Kα assets from Pikavation, though further details were not disclosed. Once integrated into Novartis’ portfolio, SNV4818 will complement Piqray, an existing PI3Kα inhibitor approved in 2019 for use with AstraZeneca’s Faslodex in treating HR+, HER2- advanced or metastatic breast cancer.
Novartis faces growing competition from newer therapies such as AstraZeneca’s Truqap and Roche’s Itovebi, both approved within the last two years and generating significant sales. Additionally, Eli Lilly entered the field with a $1 billion deal for Scorpion Therapeutics’ STX-478 earlier this year.
The acquisition reflects ongoing efforts by major pharmaceutical companies to expand their offerings for breast cancer treatment as new therapies emerge.
