Novartis has agreed to buy Synnovation Therapeutics’ potential treatment for HR+/HER2- breast cancer in a deal worth up to $3bn.
Pikavation, a subsidiary of Synnovation, will be acquired by Novartis for its portfolio of pan-mutant selective PI3Kα inhibitor programmes, including SNV4818, for $2bn upfront and future milestone payments of up to $1bn.
SNV4818, an oral drug, is currently being evaluated for breast cancer and other advanced solid tumours in a phase 1/2 study. In patients with HR+/HER2- breast cancer, around 40% potentially face more serious disease progression due to PI3Kα mutations in their tumours.
Current PI3Kα inhibitors target both mutant and normal PI3Kα, which makes them more difficult for patients to tolerate, resulting in fewer patients continuing with treatment.
SNV4818 is designed to spare normal PI3Kα in healthy cells while targeting the mutated PI3Kα enzyme found in cancer cells.
By specifically targeting the mutated PI3Kα enzyme, SNV4818 aims to lower side effects, enable more consistent dosing and make it easier to use in combination with hormonal therapy and other treatments at an earlier stage in the patient care pathway.
In ongoing clinical evaluation, preclinical studies are showing strong activity against common PIK3CA mutations and clear selectivity over the normal enzyme.
Shreeram Aradhye, President of Development at Novartis, said: “While mutated PI3Kα is a well‑established driver in HR+/HER2‑ breast cancer, there remains a challenge in achieving effective pathway inhibition with a tolerable therapeutic profile.
“SNV4818 applies new mutant‑selective chemistry to more precisely target tumour biology while sparing normal cells. This approach has the potential to translate proven biology into improved tolerability and more durable benefit for patients through precision medicine.”
The transaction is due to be finalised in the first half of 2026.