Novartis and Regulus Therapeutics have entered into a definitive agreement for Novartis to acquire Regulus for a total equity value of approximately US$1.7 B. Through the takeover, which involves a US$800 M upfront payment plus a US$900 M contingent value right payment, Novartis picks up Regulus’ lead asset, farabursen, a potential first-in-class, next-generation oligonucleotide targeting miR-17 for the treatment of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). The deal provides Novartis with the opportunity to further strengthen its focus on renal disease, accelerate its growth and build its presence in the growing space.