SanReno Therapeutics has announced that it has been acquired by Novartis, becoming an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Novartis. The investors that helped found SanReno—including Pivotal bioVenture Partners China, Frazier Life Sciences, Samsara BioCapital, and Versant Ventures—have sold their equity securities in the company.
SanReno, which was established as a joint venture between Chinook Therapeutics (also now a subsidiary of Novartis) and the investor consortium, holds exclusive rights in Greater China and Singapore for two late-stage assets targeting Immunoglobulin A Nephropathy (IgAN): atrasentan and zigakibart. SanReno is currently undertaking Phase 3 development of atrasentan, an oral endothelin A receptor antagonist (ERA), for IgAN. It demonstrated clinically meaningful and highly statistically significant proteinuria reduction at the 36-weeks interim analysis, successfully meeting the primary endpoint of its Phase 3 study. It has also been awarded approval by the Chinese Centre for Drug Evaluation (CDE) for zigakibart (BION-1301), a subcutaneously administered monoclonal antibody targeting APRIL (A Proliferation Inducing Ligand), for entry into the Phase 3 study in October 2023.
This acquisition is unique, as it is a rare instance of a Chinese biotech company being acquired by a multinational pharmaceutical company, a fact which is compounded by the transaction being completed within the first two years of SanReno’s formation. The transaction helps to highlight China’s potential within the global renal market, and also aligns with Novartis’ commitment to championing novel therapies for kidney diseases.
Commenting on the acquisition, CEO Haoyu Huang stated that “the acquisition of SanReno by Novartis is a testament to the unwavering dedication and relentless innovation of the SanReno team. It validates our commitment to pushing the boundaries in kidney disease therapeutics. We are thrilled to join forces with Novartis, a global pharmaceutical leader, in our shared mission to bring forth potentially transformative medicines for patients battling kidney diseases in China and beyond. Today marks an exciting new chapter in our journey to making a meaningful impact in the field of renal health.”
