Avidity Biosciences plans to merge with Novartis AG in the first half of 2026.

Under this plan, neuroscience treatments being developed by Avidity, including del-zota for DMD, would be rolled into Novartis’ treatment portfolio. Simultaneously, Avidity’s precision heart medicines would be separated into SpinCo, a new company.

Sarah Boyce, president and CEO of Avidity, explains that this deal with Novartis “will support the global expansion of our neuroscience pipeline.” Novartis and Avidity will remain as independent companies for the time being.

As a reminder, del-zota attaches a synthetic molecule called ‘oligonucleotide’ to an antibody, a molecule that follows signals from the muscle and heart. In DMD patients, this combination skips exon 44, producing a shorter yet potentially active dystrophin protein.

Defeat Duchenne Canada is working with Avidity to learn more about the impacts on Canadian families.

Summary written by DDC Research Volunteer Omar Sheikh