Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic

Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR Net sales grew +15% (cc1, +12% USD) with core operating income1 up +27% (cc, +23% USD) Sales growth driven by continued strong performance from Entresto (+22% cc), Kisqali (+56% cc), Kesimpta (+43% cc), Cosentyx (+18% cc), Leqvio (+72% cc) and Scemblix (+76% cc) Core operating income margin1 reached 42.1%, +400 basis points (cc), mainly driven by higher net sales Operating income grew +44% (cc, +38% USD); net income up +37% (cc, +34% USD)Core EPS1 grew +31% (cc, +27% USD) to USD 2.28Free cash flow1 of USD 3.4 billion (+66% USD) driven by higher net cash flows from operating activities Selected innovation milestones: Pluvicto FDA approval for pre-taxane mCRPC Vanrafia (atrasentan) FDA accelerated approval for IgA nephropathy Fabhalta (iptacopan) FDA, EC and China NMPA approvals for C3G Remibrutinib global submissions for CSU, with priority review voucher in US OAV101 IT Phase III STEER study positive readout in SMA Full-year 2025 guidance2 raised: Sales expected to grow high single digit, core operating income expected to grow low double-digit Basel, April 29, 2025 – Commenting on Q1 2025 results, Vas Narasimhan, CEO of Novartis, said:“Novartis has had a strong start to the year, delivering a +15% cc increase in sales and a +27% cc rise in core operating income in Q1. Our priority brands, including Kisqali, Kesimpta and Leqvio, continue to show strong momentum, which we anticipate will drive our growth through 2030 and beyond. We also achieved significant innovation milestones in the quarter, with new approvals for Pluvicto in the pre-taxane setting, Vanrafia for IgA nephropathy, and Fabhalta for C3G. Additionally, we completed global submissions for remibrutinib in CSU, the first indication for this promising pipeline-in-a-pill. We remain focused on advancing our leading pipeline and confident in achieving our growth outlook.” Key figures Q1 2025Q1 2024% change USD m USD mUSDccNet sales to third parties13 23311 8291215Operating income4 6633 3733844Net income3 6092 6883437EPS (USD)1.831.314042Free cash flow3 3912 03866 Core operating income5 5754 5372327Core net income4 4823 6812226Core EPS (USD)2.281.802731 1. Constant currencies (cc), core results and free cash flow are non-IFRS measures. An explanation of non-IFRS measures can be found on page 31 of the Condensed Interim Financial Report. Unless otherwise noted, all growth rates in this Release refer to same period in prior year. 2. Please see detailed guidance assumptions on page 5. Strategy Our focus Novartis is a “pure-play” innovative medicines company. We have a clear focus on four core therapeutic areas (cardiovascular-renal-metabolic, immunology, neuroscience and oncology), with multiple significant in-market and pipeline assets in each of these areas, that address high disease burden and have substantial growth potential. In addition to two established technology platforms (chemistry and biotherapeutics), three emerging platforms (gene & cell therapy, radioligand therapy and xRNA) are being prioritized for continued investment into new R&D capabilities and manufacturing scale. Geographically, we are focused on growing in our priority geographies – the US, China, Germany and Japan. Our priorities Accelerate growth: Renewed attention to deliver high-value medicines (NMEs) and focus on launch excellence, with a rich pipeline across our core therapeutic areas.Deliver returns: Continuing to embed operational excellence and deliver improved financials. Novartis remains disciplined and shareholder-focused in our approach to capital allocation, with substantial cash generation and a strong capital structure supporting continued flexibility. Strengthen foundations: Unleashing the power of our people, scaling data science and technology and continuing to build trust with society. Financials Net sales were USD 13.2 billion (+12%, +15% cc), with volume contributing 15 percentage points to growth. Generic competition had a negative impact of 2 percentage points and pricing had a positive impact of 2 percentage points, benefiting from revenue deduction adjustments mainly in the US. Operating income was USD 4.7 billion (+38%, +44% cc), mainly driven by higher net sales, partly offset by higher investments behind priority brands and launches. Net income was USD 3.6 billion (+34%, +37% cc), mainly driven by higher operating income, partly offset by higher income taxes. EPS was USD 1.83 (+40%, +42% cc), benefiting from the lower weighted average number of shares outstanding. Core operating income was USD 5.6 billion (+23%, +27% cc), mainly driven by higher net sales, partly offset by higher investments behind priority brands and launches, and R&D investments. Core operating income margin was 42.1% of net sales, increasing 3.7 percentage points (4.0 percentage points cc). Core net income was USD 4.5 billion (+22%, +26% cc), mainly due to higher core operating income. Core EPS was USD 2.28 (+27%, +31% cc), benefiting from the lower weighted average number of shares outstanding. Free cash flow amounted to USD 3.4 billion (+66% USD), compared with USD 2.0 billion in the prior-year quarter, driven by higher net cash flows from operating activities. Q1 priority brands Underpinning our financial results in the quarter is a continued focus on key growth drivers (ranked in order of contribution to Q1 growth) including: Entresto(USD 2 261 million, +22% cc) sustained robust, demand-led growth globally, including in China and Japan with increased penetration in hypertensionKisqali(USD 956 million, +56% cc) sales grew strongly across all regions, including +87% growth in the US with strong momentum from the recently launched early breast cancer indication as well as continued share gains in metastatic breast cancerKesimpta(USD 899 million, +43% cc) sales grew across all regions driven by increased demand and strong accessCosentyx(USD 1 534 million, +18% cc) sales grew mainly in the US, emerging growth markets and Europe, driven by recent launches as well as volume growth in core indicationsLeqvio(USD 257 million, +72% cc) continued steady growth, with a focus on increasing account and patient adoption, and continuing medical educationScemblix(USD 238 million, +76% cc) sales grew across all regions, demonstrating the continued high unmet need in CML and strong momentum from the recently launched early-line indication in the USFabhalta(USD 81 million) sales grew driven by continued launch execution across all markets in PNH as well as the recent launch in IgAN in the USPluvicto(USD 371 million, +21% cc) continued stable performance in the US and grew in Europe in the mCRPC post-taxane setting. With the FDA’s approval for earlier use before chemotherapy, which approximately triples the eligible patient population, the focus is on driving demand in established RLT sites while activating new sites and supporting referring providers to enable patient accessZolgensma(USD 327 million, +13% cc) sales grew as it continues to demonstrate strong performance in the incident populationLutathera(USD 193 million, +15% cc) sales grew mainly in the US, Europe and Japan due to increased demand and earlier line adoption particularly in the US and Japan Net sales of the top 20 brands in the first quarter Q1 2025 % change USD mUSDccEntresto2 2612022Cosentyx1 5341618Kisqali 9565256Kesimpta 8994143Tafinlar + Mekinist 5521619Promacta/Revolade 54658Jakavi 49237Xolair 4561419Ilaris 4191820Tasigna 377-5-2Pluvicto 3712021Zolgensma 3271113Sandostatin Group 317-11-9Leqvio 2577072Scemblix 2387576Lutathera 1931415Lucentis 189-40-38Exforge Group 179-7-1Diovan Group 150712Galvus Group 124-17-11Top 20 brands total10 8371719 R&D update - key developments from the first quarter New approvals Pluvicto(lutetium Lu177 vipivotide tetraxetan)FDA expanded the indication for Pluvicto to include patients with PSMA-positive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) who have been treated with an androgen receptor pathway inhibitor and are considered appropriate to delay chemotherapy, approximately tripling the eligible patient population. Vanrafia(atrasentan)FDA granted an accelerated approval for Vanrafia for the reduction of proteinuria in adults with primary immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) at risk of rapid disease progression. Vanrafia can be seamlessly added to supportive care in IgAN and used as a foundational therapy.Fabhalta(iptacopan)Fabhalta was approved by the US FDA, European Commission and China’s NMPA for adult patients with C3 glomerulopathy (C3G), making it the first and only treatment approved for this condition in all three markets. Regulatory updates RemibrutinibRegulatory submissions for remibrutinib for the treatment of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) were completed in the US, EU and China. A priority review voucher was used in the US and approval is anticipated in H2 2025, and priority review was granted in China. Scemblix(asciminib)Regulatory submission for Scemblix in adults with newly diagnosed CML was completed in the EU based on 96-week data from the Phase III ASC4FIRST study. Results from ongoing trials and other highlights OAV101 IT(onasemnogene abeparvovec)Novartis announced positive safety and efficacy results from the Phase III program for investigational intrathecal OAV101 IT in a broad population of patients aged two to <18 years with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). In the Phase III STEER study, treatment with OAV101 IT led to a statistically significant and clinically meaningful 2.39-point improvement on the Hammersmith Functional Motor Scale Expanded vs. 0.51 points in the sham control arm. In addition, in the Phase IIIb STRENGTH study, treatment with OAV101 IT in patients who have discontinued treatment with nusinersen or risdiplam demonstrated stabilization of motor function over 52 weeks of follow-up. OAV101 IT demonstrated a favorable safety profile, consistent in both treatment-naïve and treatment-experienced patients. Data were presented at MDA.RemibrutinibThe New England Journal of Medicine published data from the 24-week double-blind placebo-controlled period of the Phase III REMIX-1 and -2 studies. Remibrutinib showed early symptom improvement and sustained efficacy, with improvements in CSU symptoms compared to placebo observed as early as week 1 and response rate maintained through the double-blind treatment period. Remibrutinib was well tolerated, with overall adverse event rates comparable to placebo. Multiple analyses of the REMIX-1 and -2 trials were presented at medical congresses in Q1. At AAAAI, long-term results showed that patients experienced improved urticaria control within two weeks of starting treatment. Patients who switched from placebo to remibrutinib at week 24 achieved similar improvements through week 52. At AAD, data was presented showing that treatment with remibrutinib had positive effects on sleep and daily activities for CSU patients.IanalumabThe results of Phase II VAYHIT3 study in adult patients with advanced primary ITP, previously treated with at least a corticosteroid and a thrombopoietin receptor agonist, indicate that a short course of ianalumab has clinically meaningful efficacy and is well tolerated in these patients. These results will be presented at a future medical meeting and are expected to support a filing in second-line ITP, based on the Phase III VAYHIT2 study, expected to read out in H2 2025.Selected transactionsNovartis has completed the acquisition of Anthos Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing abelacimab, a potential first-in-class monoclonal antibody targeting the FXI inhibition pathway in development for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with atrial fibrillation. The acquisition adds a Phase III asset and is aligned with the Novartis growth strategy and expertise in the cardiovascular therapeutic area. Capital structure and net debt Retaining a good balance between investment in the business, a strong capital structure, and attractive shareholder returns remains a priority. In Q1 2025, Novartis repurchased a total of 24.8 million shares for USD 2.6 billion on the SIX Swiss Exchange second trading line under the up-to USD 15 billion share buyback announced in July 2023 (with up to USD 2.7 billion still to be executed). In addition, 1.5 million shares (equity value of USD 0.2 billion) were repurchased from employees. In the same period, 10.5 million shares (equity value of USD 0.3 billion) were delivered to employees related to equity-based compensation plans. Novartis aims to offset the dilutive impact from equity-based compensation plans of employees over the remainder of the year. Consequently, the total number of shares outstanding decreased by 15.8 million versus December 31, 2024. These treasury share transactions resulted in an equity decrease of USD 2.5 billion and a net cash outflow of USD 2.7 billion. Net debt increased to USD 22.3 billion at March 31, 2025, compared with USD 16.1 billion at December 31, 2024. The increase was mainly due to the free cash flow of USD 3.4 billion being more than offset by the USD 5.3 billion annual net dividend payment in March (which is the gross dividend of USD 7.8 billion reduced by the USD 2.5 billion Swiss withholding tax that was paid in April 2025, according to its due date), cash outflows for treasury share transactions of USD 2.7 billion and cash outflows for purchases of intangible assets of USD 1.2 billion. As of Q1 2025, the long-term credit rating for the company is Aa3 with Moody’s Ratings and AA- with S&P Global Ratings. 2025 outlook Barring unforeseen events; growth vs. prior year in ccNet salesExpected to grow high single-digitCore operating incomeExpected to grow low double-digit Key assumptions: We assume Tasigna, Promacta and Entresto US generic entry mid-2025 for forecasting purposes Foreign exchange impact If late-April exchange rates prevail for the remainder of 2025, the foreign exchange impact for the year would be 0 percentage points on net sales and negative 2 percentage points on core operating income. The estimated impact of exchange rates on our results is provided monthly on our website. Key figures1 Q1 2025Q1 2024% change USD m USD mUSDccNet sales to third parties13 23311 8291215Operating income4 6633 3733844As a % of sales35.228.5 Net income3 6092 6883437EPS (USD)1.831.314042Net cash flows from operating activities3 6452 26561 Non-IFRS measures Free cash flow 3 3912 03866 Core operating income5 5754 5372327As a % of sales42.138.4 Core net income4 4823 6812226Core EPS (USD)2.281.802731 1. Constant currencies (cc), core results and free cash flow are non-IFRS measures. An explanation of non-IFRS measures can be found on page 31 of the Condensed Interim Financial Report. Unless otherwise noted, all growth rates in this Release refer to same period in prior year. Detailed financial results accompanying this press release are included in the Condensed Interim Financial Report at the link below:https://ml-eu.globenewswire.com/resource/download/f5843473-7c9e-4c13-b263-db739fdcf6d6/ DisclaimerThis press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that can generally be identified by words such as “anticipate,” “can,” “will,” “continue,” “ongoing,” “growth,” “launch,” “expect,” “expand,” “deliver,” “accelerate,” “deliver,” “guidance,” “outlook,” “priority,” “potential,” “momentum,” or similar expressions, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential new products, potential new indications for existing products, potential product launches, or regarding potential future revenues from any such products; or regarding results of ongoing clinical trials; or regarding potential future, pending or announced transactions; regarding potential future sales or earnings; or by discussions of strategy, plans, expectations or intentions, including discussions regarding our continued investment into new R&D capabilities and manufacturing; or regarding our capital structure. Such forward-looking statements are based on the current beliefs and expectations of management regarding future events and are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. There can be no guarantee that the investigational or approved products described in this press release will be submitted or approved for sale or for any additional indications or labeling in any market, or at any particular time. Nor can there be any guarantee that such products will be commercially successful in the future. Neither can there be any guarantee that the expected benefits or synergies from the transactions described in this press release will be achieved in the expected timeframe, or at all. In particular, our expectations could be affected by, among other things: uncertainties concerning global healthcare cost containment, including ongoing government, payer and general public pricing and reimbursement pressures and requirements for increased pricing transparency; uncertainties regarding the success of key products, commercial priorities and strategy; uncertainties in the research and development of new products, including clinical trial results and additional analysis of existing clinical data; our ability to obtain or maintain proprietary intellectual property protection, including the ultimate extent of the impact on Novartis of the loss of patent protection and exclusivity on key products; uncertainties regarding our ability to realize the strategic benefits, operational efficiencies or opportunities expected from our external business opportunities; uncertainties in the development or adoption of potentially transformational digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, and business models; uncertainties surrounding the implementation of our new IT projects and systems; uncertainties regarding potential significant breaches of information security or disruptions of our information technology systems; uncertainties regarding actual or potential legal proceedings, including regulatory actions or delays or government regulation related to the products and pipeline products described in this press release; safety, quality, data integrity, or manufacturing issues; our performance on and ability to comply with environmental, social and governance measures and requirements; major macroeconomic and geo- and socio-political developments, including the impact of any potential tariffs on our products or the impact of war in certain parts of the world; uncertainties regarding future global exchange rates; uncertainties regarding future demand for our products; and other risks and factors referred to in Novartis AG’s most recently filed Form 20-F and in subsequent reports filed with, or furnished to, the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Novartis is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. All product names appearing in italics are trademarks owned by or licensed to Novartis. About Novartis Novartis is an innovative medicines company. Every day, we work to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people’s lives so that patients, healthcare professionals and societies are empowered in the face of serious disease. Our medicines reach nearly 300 million people worldwide. Reimagine medicine with us: Visit us at https://www.novartis.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram. Novartis will conduct a conference call with investors to discuss this news release today at 14:00 Central European time and 8:00 Eastern Time. A simultaneous webcast of the call for investors and other interested parties may be accessed by visiting the Novartis website. A replay will be available after the live webcast by visiting https://www.novartis.com/investors/event-calendar. Detailed financial results accompanying this press release are included in the Condensed Interim Financial Report at the link below. Additional information is provided on our business and pipeline of selected compounds in late-stage development. A copy of today's earnings call presentation can be found at https://www.novartis.com/investors/event-calendar. Important datesJuly 17, 2025October 28, 2025November 19-20, 2025Second quarter & half year 2025 resultsThird quarter & nine months 2025 resultsMeet Novartis Management 2025 (London, UK) Novartis Media RelationsE-mail: media.relations@novartis.com Novartis Investor RelationsCentral investor relations line: +41 61 324 7944E-mail: investor.relations@novartis.com Please find full media release in English attached and on the following link: Media release (PDF) Further language versions are available through the following links: German version is available through the following link: Medienmitteilung (PDF)

– Complete response (CR) observed in 79% (26/33) of evaluable patients with low-grade upper tract urothelial cancer (UTUC) who completed the Induction Treatment Phase (ITP) of the ENLIGHTED Phase 3 trial evaluating Padeliporfin VTP in UTUC – – Padeliporfin VTP treatment continues to be safe and efficacious, establishing profile consistent with prior results alongside additional follow-up in Maintenance Treatment Phase (MTP) – – Additional podium presentation reinforces platform applicability across solid tumors and highlights robust, long-term durability of response out to 48 months post-treatment with Padeliporfin VTP in intermediate-risk prostate cancer – TEL AVIV, Israel, April 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ImPact Biotech, a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing Padeliporfin vascular targeted photodynamic (VTP) therapy to treat a range of solid tumors, today announced updated preliminary results from ENLIGHTED, the Company’s ongoing Phase 3 study of Padeliporfin VTP treatment in patients with low-grade upper tract urothelial cancer (UTUC), as well as long-term follow up from the PCM-204 Phase 2b trial evaluating Padeliporfin VTP in men with intermediate risk of prostate cancer. These data were presented at the American Urological Association’s 2025 Annual Meeting (AUA) on April 27, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. “Positive updates from the ENLIGHTED trial continue to reinforce Padeliporfin VTP’s potential to shift the treatment paradigm as a promising non-invasive option for patients with low-grade UTUC,” said Eyal Morag, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of ImPact Biotech. “We are highly encouraged by the robust complete response rate, which is in line with other minimally invasive interventions but without incurring risk of organ injury or loss. We also see potential for deepening of partial responses in a real-world setting, where retreatment may be possible beyond the number of inductions included in trial protocol. We look forward to sharing additional updates from the ENLIGHTED study, and anticipate reporting complete topline data within the year to support potential registration of Padeliporfin VTP in this indication.” Key updated preliminary results from the Phase 3 ENLIGHTED study of Padeliporfin VTP: As of November 4, 2024, the data cut-off for the poster presentation at AUA, 44 patients had begun treatment, of which 33 had completed ITP and were evaluable for efficacy. Clinical Profile: 26 of the 33 (79%) response-evaluable patients achieved a CR at the end of ITP.6 of the 33 (18%) response-evaluable patients achieved a partial response (PR) at the end of ITP. Safety and Tolerability Profile: Padeliporfin VTP was well-tolerated with a safety profile consistent with the previous data obtained from the Phase 1 study and previously announced preliminary Phase 3 results.Adverse events (AEs) observed were primarily Grade 1 or 2, most of which were related to the ureteroscopic procedure rather than VTP, and all resolved within two to seven days. Only one patient experienced a Grade 3 serious adverse event that was related to the VTP therapy, which resolved within two days, and there were no VTP related Grade 4 or 5 serious adverse events observed. ImPact continues to recruit for the ENLIGHTED study and expects to complete enrollment in mid-2025. Long-term follow-up from PCM-204 Phase 2b trial in intermediate-risk prostate cancer: In addition to updates from the ENLIGHTED study, the Company delivered an oral presentation on 48-month follow-up from the PCM-204 Phase 2b trial evaluating Padeliporfin VTP in men with intermediate risk prostate cancer. 46 of the 50 (92%) of patients included in the study were assessable at the 48-month follow-up interval. “We are further excited by the updates from longer-term evaluation in men with intermediate-risk prostate cancer, extending prior observations in low-risk prostate cancer for which Padeliporfin VTP has previously been approved,” Dr. Morag continued. “These data further underscore the potential of our technology’s applicability across solid tumors and, importantly, provide visibility into the durability of response to treatment with Padeliporfin VTP.” Efficacy Profile: 32 off the 46 (69%) of the evaluable men remained free from evidence of clinical disease progression at 48 months post-treatment. Functional Outcomes and Safety: Padeliporfin demonstrated minimal long-term toxicity including low impact on urinary and sexual function, consisted with the safety and tolerability profile established in the Phase 3 trial in low-risk disease. Functional outcomes at 48 months post-treatment included a non-significant mean decrease in IIEF-5 scores from baseline of -0.67 (standard deviation [SD] 4.4).IPSS demonstrated an average non-significant change of -0.34 (SD 5.1).All patients maintained pad-free urinary continence. Padeliporfin VTP (brand name Tookad) has previously been approved by the European Union, Israel, and Mexico as a treatment for low-risk prostate cancer, following demonstration of significant clinical benefit as a localized partial gland ablation (PGA) therapy when compared to active surveillance for low-risk prostate cancer. Podium and Poster Session Details: Poster Title: Efficacy and Safety of Padeliporfin Vascular Targeted Photodynamic Therapy (VTP) for Treatment of Low-grade Upper Tract Urothelial Cancer (LG UTUC): ENLIGHTED Phase 3 StudyPresenter: Vitaly Margulis, Professor of Urologic Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterPoster Number: IP-12-14Session Title: Bladder Cancer: Upper Tract Transitional Cell Carcinoma Podium Session Title: 48-Month Follow up of Results of the PCM-204 Phase 2b Trial of Partial-Gland Ablation for Men with Intermediate-Risk Prostate Cancer with Padeliporfin (WST11 or Tookad) Vascular-Targeted Photodynamic TherapyPresenter: Jonathan Fainberg, Urologic Surgeon, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterPodium Session Number: PD19-06 About ENLIGHTEDThe Phase 3 ENLIGHTED study is a single arm, non-randomized, open-label, pivotal trial evaluating Padeliporfin VTP for the treatment of low-grade UTUC. Across 29 clinical sites globally, ImPact is targeting enrollment of up to 100 patients with new or recurrent low-grade, non-invasive UTUC of the kidney or ureter. The study consists of two parts – an Induction Treatment Phase (ITP) and Maintenance Treatment Phase (MTP) – across which Padeliporfin, a photosensitizing drug, is administered intravenously and VTP therapy is performed, via an outpatient endoscopy which applies a laser fiber illumination for 10 minutes in the proximity of the tumor, leading to local activation of Padeliporfin in the tumor. ITP consists of one-to-three treatments with VTP therapy at four-week intervals or until a complete response (CR) is achieved; MTP follows with standard-of-care treatment alongside VTP therapy administered every three months for up to 12 months. The study’s primary objective is to assess the response rate to Padeliporfin VTP treatment at the end of ITP, with secondary objectives evaluating safety, tolerability and duration of response. About ImPact BiotechImPact Biotech is an advanced clinical-stage oncology company focused on the development and commercialization of Padeliporfin Vascular Targeted Photodynamic (VTP) therapy, a minimally invasive drug-device combination for selective ablation of unresectable solid tumors. The novel VTP platform delivers non-thermal laser light via optical fibers to locally activate Padeliporfin in the tumor microenvironment. Padeliporfin VTP is currently being evaluated in a pivotal Phase 3 study in low-grade upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) with earlier stage studies ongoing or planned in high-grade UTUC, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The Company has longstanding collaborations with the Weizmann Institute of Science and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and operations in the EU, Israel and the US. For more on ImPact Biotech Ltd., visit: www.impactbiotech.com and the ENLIGHTED clinical trial website (for the US): https://www.enlighted-study.com. Contacts Global Head of Business DevelopmentGuy Schmidtguy.schmidt@impactbiotech.com Precision AQJosh Rappaportjosh.rappaport@precisionaq.com

A scrappy team of drug developers has come together to create new medicines for patients with autoimmune diseases and allergies. They’re going after the bustling subfield of Graves’ disease and also aiming to take on Xolair, the blockbuster allergy medication from Roche and Novartis. The group, Merida Biosciences, gave Endpoints News an exclusive peek as the Cambridge, MA-based biotech emerged with $121 million in Series A funding on Tuesday. Blue-chip investor Third Rock Ventures created the biotech in 2022, but it remained in stealth for multiple years. Bain Capital Life Sciences, BVF Partners and Third Rock co-led the Series A. Alphabet’s GV and Perceptive Advisors also took part. The Reid Huber-chaired biotech also named former Apellis Pharmaceuticals chief operating officer Adam Townsend as its CEO. He joined Merida last month after taking a one-week break between industry jobs to fix tables, chairs and plumbing at home. Townsend said he’s better suited for running a team of scientists and drug developers than being a handyman. “I was lucky enough to have been offered multiple CEO roles of small biotechs. This one was the absolute pinnacle in my mind,” Townsend said in an interview. Merida will enter the clinic this year with an experimental medicine for the autoimmune thyroid condition known as Graves’ disease (with potential for the drug also in the related condition called thyroid eye disease). The biotech will quickly follow that with programs in food allergy and primary membranous nephropathy, an autoimmune kidney disease. The goal is to target the pathogenic antibodies behind multiple diseases beyond just those three initial indications, Townsend and Merida’s C-suite said in an exclusive interview last week. Merida derived from a personal experience. CSO Dario Gutierrez co-founded the company after seeing a family member go through a difficult treatment period for an auto-antibody-driven disease known as immune thrombocytopenic purpura, or ITP. The family member was given high-dose steroids and went through a surgical operation known as a splenectomy. That treatment regimen “did not match the knowledge that we had of the disease,” Gutierrez said. Researchers knew the pathogenic antibodies involved. There could be more targeted medicines, he reasoned. “Why are we not doing anything about this that’s more specific?” Gutierrez thought. So he and the team started making molecules that could trap patients’ autoantibodies and neutralize and degrade them. Gutierrez, an avid marathoner who’s hoping his leadership team will become fellow runners, quickly went to work with the help of seed funding from Third Rock, and applied methods like cryo-electron microscopy. Merida wants to upend the current treatment landscape and give the autoimmune field its precision medicine moment, just as the oncology world has experienced in recent years. “Steroids, B cell therapies, you’re basically wiping out the whole field to just take out a couple of weeds,” chief medical officer Matthew Leoni said. “To be able to not have to do that, to have laser scalpel-like precision, instead of using a sledgehammer, to remove completely the causative agent without damaging any of the surrounding systems, or the immune system or anything else — that’s revolutionary.” The biotech’s name hints at the precision medicine approach. The name can be traced to the capital of the Yucatán state in Mexico, but also a Disney princess. “There’s something special about that princess. She was an archer, a very accurate archer, and we’re a precision medicine company,” Gutierrez said. Gutierrez and team are making treatment candidates that can be delivered subcutaneously. They’re not calling them biologics, but they have a similar half-life, the CSO said. They’re produced like other antibodies, he added. “It’s an Fc-based fusion protein. It is actually an asymmetric protein,” Gutierrez said. “The antigen that traps the antibodies is only expressed in one of the Fc chains; the other one is empty. That is to increase the safety profile of the molecules so that we’re not creating large immune complexes.” Leoni said the ambition is to get to quarterly or six-month dosing “in an ideal world.” “Those [dosing schedules] are achievable with the types of molecules that Dario is producing both from the standpoint of kinetics,” Leoni said, “because you’re removing all the antibodies that are there in a matter of hours, and you clean the system, and then it’s just basically dosing above what you need to do that to have a sustained effect over time.” The biotech is starting with Graves’ disease, where other companies are making headway, including Immunovant and Biohaven . Graves was selected as the first indication, in part because of the efficacy signals that can be gleaned quite early in clinical trials. With thyroid function tests and other objective measures, Merida will be able to see whether its experimental treatment candidate is performing well. The depth of depletion of the auto-antibody is a “direct correlative” and can be predictive of larger registrational-type studies, Leoni said. Merida also wants to take on Xolair, an allergy medication that racked up $4.4 billion in sales between partners Novartis and Roche last year. The startup has engineered antibodies that are able to recognize immunoglobulin E, or IgE, like Xolair does. “But, rather than just binding it, can actually drive degradation,” Merida operating chief Dodzie Sogah said. “The whole team and the board are very supportive of going into this big, aggressive market,” Townsend said. “And for a small, lean, nimble biotech, yes, hell yes we should chase that.” The food allergy field has been quite difficult to crack into. Alladapt Immunotherapeutics, a well-funded biotech that was constructing its own manufacturing facility, shut down last year after discussing Phase 3 plans for an oral food allergy treatment with the FDA. “If you can beat Xolair when it comes to efficacy, imagine the unlocked potential that you have across multiple allergic diseases,” Townsend said. “Food allergy is our gateway into showing our science and how it works there.”