Global Briefs: Bayer, AbbVie, Novartis, Teva, Bayer & More
A roundup of news from the large and mid-sized bio/pharmaceutical companies featuring AbbVie/RemeGen, Novartis/SciNeuro Pharmaceuticals, Teva, Bayer, Asahi Kasei and Jazz Pharmaceuticals.
For the latest news roundup on small and Emerging Pharma companies, see Biotech Briefs.
Partnering News
* AbbVie, RemeGen in $5.6-Bn Oncology Drug Pact
* Novartis, SciNeuro Pharmaceuticals in $1.7-Bn Deal for Alzheimer’s Drug
* Teva Secures $500 M in Funding from Royalty Pharma for Vitiligo Drug
M&A News
* Bayer To Acquire Molecular Imaging Agents From Attralus
General
* Asahi Kasei Pharma to Relocate Global R&D Hub
Appointments
* Jazz Pharmaceuticals Names Chief Business Officer
Partnering News
AbbVie, RemeGen in $5.6-Bn Oncology Drug Pact
AbbVie and RemeGen, a Yantei, China-based bio/pharmaceutical company, have entered an agreement for the development, manufacturing and commercialization of RC148, an investigational programmed cell death-1 (PD-1)/vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-targeted bispecific antibody, in a deal worth up to $5.6 billion ($650 million upfront and $4.95 billion in milestone payments).
RC148 is currently being developed by RemeGen as a monotherapy and in combination regimens across multiple advanced solid tumors. RC148 further strengthens AbbVie’s oncology portfolio by potentially offering new opportunities to explore combination regimens with AbbVie’s antibody drug conjugates such as investigational telisotuzumab adizutecan across multiple solid tumors, including non-small cell lung cancer and colorectal cancer.
Under the agreement, AbbVie will receive exclusive rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize RC148 outside of the Greater China territory. RemeGen will receive an upfront payment of $650 million and is eligible to receive up to $4.95 billion in aggregate development, regulatory, and commercial milestone payments, along with tiered, double-digit royalties on net sales outside the Greater China territory.
Source: AbbVie
Novartis, SciNeuro Pharmaceuticals in $1.7-Bn Deal for Alzheimer’s Drug
Novartis and SciNeuro Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage bio/pharmaceutical company, have entered an agreement to advance SciNeuro’s amyloid-beta-targeted antibody program for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, in a deal worth up to $1.7 billion ($165 million upfront and $1.5 billion in milestone payments).
The program has identified de novo antibody candidates that incorporate SciNeuro’s proprietary blood–brain barrier shuttle technology and offer potential differentiation from existing amyloid-beta-targeted agents. SciNeuro and Novartis will collaborate during early development. Novartis will lead all subsequent product development and commercialization on a worldwide basis.
Under the agreement, SciNeuro will receive an upfront payment of $165 million. In addition, SciNeuro is eligible to receive research funding, and potentially up to $1.5 billion in development, regulatory, and commercial milestones, as well as tiered royalties.
The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2026, subject to the expiration or termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 and other customary conditions.
Source: SciNeuro Pharmaceuticals
Teva Secures $500 M in Funding from Royalty Pharma for Vitiligo Drug
Teva Pharmaceuticals and Royalty Pharma, a pharmaceutical funding company, have entered a agreement with Teva receiving up to $500 million to accelerate the clinical development of Teva’s anti-IL-15 antibody, TEV-’408, a drug candidate being evaluated to treat vitiligo, an autoimmune disease that causes skin to lose color or pigmentation.
IL-15 is a key cytokine involved in multiple immune-mediated disease pathways. Emerging Phase 1b data from the ongoing TEV-‘408 vitiligo study provides preliminary support for IL-15 as a potential therapeutic target to treat a broad variety of autoimmune conditions. Teva anticipates sharing results from TEV-‘408 trials during 2026.
Under the agreement, Royalty Pharma will provide Teva up to $500 million to fund ongoing development costs for TEV-‘408 in vitiligo. This is comprised of $75 million in R&D co-funding to conduct a Phase IIb study targeted to start in 2026. Based on the future results from Phase 2b in vitiligo, Royalty Pharma will have an option to provide an additional $425 million to co-fund the Phase III development program. If approved and launched, Teva will pay a milestone to Royalty Pharma and a royalty on worldwide net sales of TEV-’408.
Source: Teva Pharmaceuticals
M&A News
Bayer To Acquire Molecular Imaging Agents From Attralus
Bayer has agreed to acquire AT-01 (124-Iodine-evuzamitide) and AT-05 (PAR-Peptide + technetium-99m), two investigational molecular imaging agents for the diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis from Attralus, a clinical-stage bio/pharmaceutical company focused on developing medicines and diagnostics for systemic amyloidosis. Cardiac amyloidosis is a condition where faulty proteins amass together and accumulate in the heart.
The acquired molecular imaging portfolio consists of AT-01 (124-Iodine-evuzamitide, a tracer for positron emission tomography) in Phase III of clinical development and AT-05 (PAR-Peptide + technetium-99m), a tracer for single photon emission computed tomographyin Phase I of clinical development, focused on the diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis. The development of these tracers has the potential to address a need for earlier and accurate diagnosis of systemic and specifically cardiac amyloidosis, a rarely diagnosed and often fatal heart disease that affects an estimated 400,000 people globally.
Source: Attralus
General
Asahi Kasei Pharma to Relocate Global R&D Hub
Asahi Kasei Pharma has announced plans to relocate its R&D hub from Izunokuni City, Shizuoka Prefecture (Ohito) to Shonan Health Innovation Park (Shonan iPark) in January 2027. The company says the move will strengthen the company’s global R&D capabilities for its pharmaceuticals business and accelerate open innovation through collaboration with external partners to advance drug discovery.
Source: Asahi Kasei Pharma
Appointments
Jazz Pharmaceuticals Names Chief Business Officer
Jazz Pharmaceuticals has announced the appointment of Thomas Riga, currently Chief Operating and Commercial Officer, as Chief Business Officer, effective January 1, 2026.
Riga joined Jazz Pharmaceuticals in April 2025 through the acquisition of Chimerix, where he served as Chief Operating and Commercial Officer. In that role, he directed corporate strategy, including the successful sale of Chimerix to Jazz Pharmaceuticals. He brings more than 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry leading sales and marketing, business development, operations, and has held multiple C-suite positions across various organizations. In his role as Chief Business Officer, he will lead execution of corporate development initiatives and drive strategic partnerships for the company.
Source: Jazz Pharmaceuticals
