Argo Biopharma Announces Multi-Asset License and Option Agreements With Novartis
Palo Alto – September 3, 2025 – Cooley advised Argo Biopharma, a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing next-generation small interfering RNA (siRNA) therapeutics, on its additional strategic collaboration with Novartis for multiple cardiovascular assets in Argo’s pipeline. The new agreements are in addition to the existing collaboration between the companies and comprise their third transaction including assets from Argo’s pipeline.
This most recent collaboration between Argo and Novartis includes an option granted to Novartis to license ex-China rights to two discovery-stage next-generation molecules for the treatment of severe hypertriglyceridemia and mixed dyslipidemia and a right of first negotiation to BW-00112 (ANGPTL3), as well as an ex-China license granted to Novartis with reciprocal options to share in profit and loss in the US and China for an additional hepatic-delivered siRNA candidate currently in investigational new drug (IND)-enabling studies.
Under the terms of the agreements, Argo will receive an upfront payment of $160 million and is eligible to receive potential milestone and option payments of a combined potential value of up to $5.2 billion, as well as tiered royalties on commercial sales.
Life sciences corporate partnering and licensing lawyers Lila Hope, Jennifer Raab, Freddy Yip and Yuhan Wu led the cross-office team advising Argo, with support from Yiming Liu and Patrick Loofbourrow on corporate- and capital markets-related matters, Aaron Pomeroy and Amanda Pacheco on tax, Julia Brinton and David Burns on antitrust, and Andrew Epstein and Mari Dugas on cyber/data/privacy.
About Cooley LLP
Clients partner with Cooley on transformative deals, complex IP and regulatory matters, and high-stakes litigation.
Cooley has nearly 1,400 lawyers across 19 offices in the United States, Asia and Europe, and a total workforce of more than 3,000 people.
Group Contacts
This content is provided for general informational purposes only, and your access or use of the content does not create an attorney-client relationship between you or your organization and Cooley LLP, Cooley (UK) LLP, or any other affiliated practice or entity (collectively referred to as "Cooley"). By accessing this content, you agree that the information provided does not constitute legal or other professional advice. This content is not a substitute for obtaining legal advice from a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction, and you should not act or refrain from acting based on this content. This content may be changed without notice. It is not guaranteed to be complete, correct or up to date, and it may not reflect the most current legal developments. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Do not send any confidential information to Cooley, as we do not have any duty to keep any information you provide to us confidential. When advising companies, our attorney-client relationship is with the company, not with any individual. This content may have been generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence (Al) in accordance with our Al Principles, may be considered Attorney Advertising and is subject to our legal notices.