Novartis AG has already started spending the $13bn proceeds from the sale of its stake in the GlaxoSmithKline PLC consumer joint venture, splashing $8.7bn on AveXis Inc. and making a huge stride into expanding its presence in gene therapy.
Novartis Goes Big On Gene Therapy With $8.7bn AveXis Acquisition
The Swiss major has made a larger-than-expected bolt-on buy, using a large chunk of its $13bn windfall from GSK to get hold of a potential cure for spinal muscular atrophy and an additional gene therapy platform, as well as manufacturing capabilities.

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Deal Snapshot: Lilly is the third company to sign a licensing deal for STAC-BBB with Sangamo, which also aims to secure a deal for its Fabry disease program in the second quarter.
AstraZeneca remains committed to investing in R&D and alliances in China, where Susan Galbraith, the UK major’s head of oncology R&D, sees innovation eventually reaching parity with the US and Europe.
The latest in a long line of restructuring measures will see Sumitomo Pharma making a stepped sale of its pharma operations in Asia to major Japanese trading house Marubeni.
Plus deals involving GV20/Mitsubishi Tanabe, Kaken/Alumis, AstraZeneca/Alteogen and deal terminations involving Clover/Gavi Alliance and Rhythm/RareStone.