BASEL, Switzerland, July 6, 2026
Novartis has announced a landmark agreement to acquire Myricx Bio, a UK-based biotechnology company pioneering a new generation of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) powered by a novel N-myristoyltransferase inhibitor (NMTi) payload platform. The strategic acquisition significantly strengthens Novartis’ oncology pipeline by adding a potentially first-in-class ADC payload technology designed to overcome resistance associated with existing ADC therapies while expanding treatment opportunities for patients with solid tumors. Myricx’s innovative platform combines targeted antibody technology with a differentiated intracellular payload mechanism capable of delivering highly selective cancer cell destruction. The company is currently advancing two lead ADC candidates targeting B7-H3 and HER2, two clinically important biomarkers expressed across multiple aggressive solid tumors. By integrating Myricx’s technology into its expanding oncology portfolio, Novartis aims to accelerate the development of next-generation targeted cancer therapies capable of providing more durable responses and addressing significant unmet medical needs in precision oncology.
Novel NMTi Payload Platform Targets ADC Resistance in Solid Tumors
Antibody-drug conjugates have transformed modern cancer treatment, yet many patients eventually develop resistance to currently available payload technologies. Myricx Bio’s proprietary NMTi payload platform introduces an entirely new mechanism of action by targeting N-myristoyltransferase (NMT), an enzyme that plays a critical role in enabling proteins responsible for cancer cell growth, survival, and proliferation. By inhibiting NMT activity, the payload disrupts essential cellular processes required for tumor progression, providing a differentiated strategy that could overcome resistance observed with traditional TOPO-1 inhibitor-based ADCs.
According to preclinical studies, the NMTi payload has demonstrated encouraging activity across multiple solid tumor models, including cancers resistant to existing ADC payload classes. If future clinical studies validate these findings, NMTi could emerge as an entirely new class of ADC payloads, expanding the versatility of targeted drug conjugates across numerous oncology indications. The acquisition aligns with Novartis’ long-term strategy of investing in innovative oncology platforms capable of delivering transformative therapies through precision medicine and next-generation targeted drug delivery technologies.
Acquisition Strengthens Novartis’ Global Oncology Innovation Strategy
Advertisement
The acquisition represents another major investment in Novartis’ rapidly expanding oncology research portfolio. Under the agreement, Novartis will pay USD 1.1 billion upfront, with an additional up to USD 400 million in milestone-based payments, bringing the potential transaction value to USD 1.5 billion. The transaction is expected to close during the second half of 2026, pending customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions. Beyond the immediate addition of two promising ADC candidates, the agreement provides Novartis with a scalable payload platform that may support future antibody-drug conjugate development across additional tumor targets.
Company leadership believes the technology complements Novartis’ broader strategy of expanding advanced therapeutic platforms similar to its investments in radioligand therapies, enabling the development of more effective and durable cancer treatments. As the global ADC market continues to experience rapid growth, innovative payload technologies capable of overcoming therapeutic resistance are becoming increasingly important for improving long-term patient outcomes and broadening the clinical utility of targeted oncology medicines.
Strategic Investment Expands Precision Oncology Pipeline
The proposed acquisition reinforces Novartis’ commitment to pioneering precision oncology by combining cutting-edge science with innovative therapeutic platforms capable of addressing difficult-to-treat cancers. With more than 30 years of oncology research experience, Novartis continues to build one of the industry’s broadest cancer portfolios spanning solid tumors, hematologic malignancies, radioligand therapies, targeted biologics, and advanced antibody-drug conjugates.
The addition of Myricx Bio’s NMTi platform further enhances the company’s ability to develop first-in-class targeted therapies capable of addressing resistance mechanisms while improving treatment precision and efficacy. If successfully translated into clinical practice, NMTi-based ADCs could represent a significant advancement in targeted cancer therapeutics, offering new hope for patients with limited treatment options across multiple solid tumor indications while reinforcing Novartis’ leadership in next-generation oncology innovation.
Source: Novartis, Myricx Bio press release
