Novartis has signed a massive licensing agreement with China-based Abogen Biosciences valued at up to $7.8 billion. The transaction includes an immediate $575 million upfront payment with the remainder tied to future developmental and regulatory milestones. At the center of the deal is Abogen’s early-stage messenger RNA (mRNA) therapy designed to target B-cell-mediated autoimmune diseases. The agreement also provides Novartis with an exclusive option to acquire rights to additional assets built on Abogen’s mRNA platform. This partnership underscores how global pharmaceutical giants are increasingly turning to China for pipeline innovation to offset upcoming patent expirations.

Full report : The Swiss drugmaker is paying up to $7.8 billion to license an early-stage experimental treatment, highlighting big pharma’s growing reliance on Chinese biotech.