Novartis Oncology CEO Bruno Strigini said: “Sickle cell disease affects millions of people around the world and there are limited therapies available for treatment of vaso-occlusive pain crises, a very common complication of the disease.
"With this acquisition, Novartis is able to leverage its leadership in hematology research to advance development of a potential new treatment option for patients living with this debilitating condition.”
Selexys is engaged in the development of therapeutics in various hematologic and inflammatory disorders.
The exclusive right to acquire Selexys and also its drug SelG1 was obtained by Novartis in 2012.Selexys Pharmaceuticals former president and CEO Dr. Scott Rollins said: "The acquisition of Selexys by Novartis represents an important step in the continued development of SelG1, a novel, potential first-in-class therapy for patients with this underserved life-threatening disease."
Bloomberg recently reported Novartis is in talks to buy American generic-drugs maker Amneal Pharmaceuticals in a deal that could possibly be worth $8bn.
Last October, Novartis purchased Admune Therapeutics at an undisclosed price to expand its immuno-oncology pipeline.
Image: View of the Fabrikstrasse, Novartis headquarters in Switzerland. Photo: courtesy of Novartis AG.