SanReno Therapeutics Acquired by Novartis to Advance Transformative Therapies in Kidney Disease

ShanghaiJanuary 5, 2024PR Newswire -- Xinruinuo Pharmaceutical, a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on the development, research, and commercialization of revolutionary therapies in the field of kidney diseases, today announced its acquisition by global pharmaceutical company Novartis. With the completion of the acquisition, Xinruinuo Pharmaceutical has become an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Novartis. The founding investment institutions of Xinruinuo Pharmaceutical, including Pivotal bioVenture Partners China (DF Capital), Frazier Life Sciences, Samsara BioCapital, and Versant Ventures, sold their stakes in Xinruinuo to Novartis.

Xinruinuo Pharmaceutical (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. was established in 2021 as a joint venture between the founding investment institution and Chinook Therapeutics (now acquired by Novartis). Xinruinuo holds exclusive rights in China and Singapore for two innovative drug programs targeting Immunoglobulin A Nephropathy (IgAN): atrasentan and zigakibart. Both products are currently in clinical development. Atrasentan, an oral selective endothelin receptor (ETA) antagonist, is undergoing Phase III clinical development. It demonstrated statistically significant and clinically meaningful reductions in proteinuria in a 36-week analysis, successfully achieving the primary endpoint of its Phase III study. Zigakibart (BION-1301), a subcutaneously administered anti-APRIL (a proliferation-inducing ligand) monoclonal antibody, has received approval from China's Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) and began Phase III clinical trials in October 2023.

This acquisition was completed within just two years of Xinruinuo Pharmaceutical (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.'s establishment and is one of the few instances where a Chinese startup pharmaceutical company has been acquired by a multinational corporation. The transaction highlights the significant market potential of China in the global nephrology field and aligns with Novartis' strategic goal of developing innovative nephrology therapies.