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Novartis will pay $800 million upfront to acquire Regulus Therapeutics, a San Diego biotechnology company that launched nearly two decades ago with plans to make drugs capable of targeting small strips of nucleic acid known as microRNA.Announced Wednesday, the acquisition will hand the Swiss pharmaceutical firm a drug prospect called farabursen, which recently completed a Phase 1b study in people with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, or ADPKD.Per deal terms, Regulus shareholders will receive $7 in cash per share, a premium of more than 100% to the stocks closing price Tuesday. Additionally, Novartis has committed to pay an additional $7 per share via a so-called contingent value right thats linked to the achievement of an unspecified regulatory milestone.Regulus was launched in 2007 as a joint venture between Alnylam Pharmaceuticals and Ionis Pharmaceuticals, building on a paper published in Nature on how a kind of synthetic oligonucleotide could silence microRNA, which plays a role in genetic regulation.After early successes, such as a 2010 partnership with Sanofi and a 2012 deal with AstraZeneca, the biotech hit setbacks from which it struggled to recover. It also had difficulty finding the right application for its drugmaking technology, trying its hand at a hepatitis C treatment that didnt pan out. Since 2021, Regulus shares have traded below $4 per share.The drug at the heart of its deal with Novartis, called farabursen, entered the clinic in 2022. Farabursen targets miR-17, which researchers have identified as potentially relevant to kidney disease.People with ADPKD have few treatment options, relying on the drug tolvaptan to slow the rate of kidney function decline, as well as pain relievers and blood pressure-lowering drugs.Acquiring Regulus is one of several investments Novartis has made in kidney disease, most notably a $3 billion deal in 2023 for Chinook Therapeutics that netted it Venrafia, which won accelerated approval to treat IgA nephropathy earlier this month. Its also developing Fabhalta, already cleared in IgAN, for several other kidney-related conditions.This is a meaningful addition to our renal portfolio as we continue driving innovation in kidney care, following our recent approvals of treatments for IgAN and C3G, Shreeram Aradhye, Novartis chief medical officer, wrote in a LinkedIn post.The pharma hinted earlier this year that it would continue to be active in dealmaking. Its president of biomedical research, Fiona Marshall, told BioPharma Dive that it was looking for early-stage assets. Novartis previously identified ADPKD as a target in its renal portfolio.So often, its having our own program that makes us really like the project, and then if we see somebody else is doing it better than us externally, well still bring that in, she said in January. '

Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR Net sales grew +15% (cc1, +12% USD) with core operating income1 up +27% (cc, +23% USD) Sales growth driven by continued strong performance from Entresto (+22% cc), Kisqali (+56% cc), Kesimpta (+43% cc), Cosentyx (+18% cc), Leqvio (+72% cc) and Scemblix (+76% cc) Core operating income margin1 reached 42.1%, +400 basis points (cc), mainly driven by higher net sales Operating income grew +44% (cc, +38% USD); net income up +37% (cc, +34% USD)Core EPS1 grew +31% (cc, +27% USD) to USD 2.28Free cash flow1 of USD 3.4 billion (+66% USD) driven by higher net cash flows from operating activities Selected innovation milestones: Pluvicto FDA approval for pre-taxane mCRPC Vanrafia (atrasentan) FDA accelerated approval for IgA nephropathy Fabhalta (iptacopan) FDA, EC and China NMPA approvals for C3G Remibrutinib global submissions for CSU, with priority review voucher in US OAV101 IT Phase III STEER study positive readout in SMA Full-year 2025 guidance2 raised: Sales expected to grow high single digit, core operating income expected to grow low double-digit Basel, April 29, 2025 – Commenting on Q1 2025 results, Vas Narasimhan, CEO of Novartis, said:“Novartis has had a strong start to the year, delivering a +15% cc increase in sales and a +27% cc rise in core operating income in Q1. Our priority brands, including Kisqali, Kesimpta and Leqvio, continue to show strong momentum, which we anticipate will drive our growth through 2030 and beyond. We also achieved significant innovation milestones in the quarter, with new approvals for Pluvicto in the pre-taxane setting, Vanrafia for IgA nephropathy, and Fabhalta for C3G. Additionally, we completed global submissions for remibrutinib in CSU, the first indication for this promising pipeline-in-a-pill. We remain focused on advancing our leading pipeline and confident in achieving our growth outlook.” Key figures Q1 2025Q1 2024% change USD m USD mUSDccNet sales to third parties13 23311 8291215Operating income4 6633 3733844Net income3 6092 6883437EPS (USD)1.831.314042Free cash flow3 3912 03866 Core operating income5 5754 5372327Core net income4 4823 6812226Core EPS (USD)2.281.802731 1. Constant currencies (cc), core results and free cash flow are non-IFRS measures. An explanation of non-IFRS measures can be found on page 31 of the Condensed Interim Financial Report. Unless otherwise noted, all growth rates in this Release refer to same period in prior year. 2. Please see detailed guidance assumptions on page 5. Strategy Our focus Novartis is a “pure-play” innovative medicines company. We have a clear focus on four core therapeutic areas (cardiovascular-renal-metabolic, immunology, neuroscience and oncology), with multiple significant in-market and pipeline assets in each of these areas, that address high disease burden and have substantial growth potential. In addition to two established technology platforms (chemistry and biotherapeutics), three emerging platforms (gene & cell therapy, radioligand therapy and xRNA) are being prioritized for continued investment into new R&D capabilities and manufacturing scale. Geographically, we are focused on growing in our priority geographies – the US, China, Germany and Japan. Our priorities Accelerate growth: Renewed attention to deliver high-value medicines (NMEs) and focus on launch excellence, with a rich pipeline across our core therapeutic areas.Deliver returns: Continuing to embed operational excellence and deliver improved financials. Novartis remains disciplined and shareholder-focused in our approach to capital allocation, with substantial cash generation and a strong capital structure supporting continued flexibility. Strengthen foundations: Unleashing the power of our people, scaling data science and technology and continuing to build trust with society. Financials Net sales were USD 13.2 billion (+12%, +15% cc), with volume contributing 15 percentage points to growth. Generic competition had a negative impact of 2 percentage points and pricing had a positive impact of 2 percentage points, benefiting from revenue deduction adjustments mainly in the US. Operating income was USD 4.7 billion (+38%, +44% cc), mainly driven by higher net sales, partly offset by higher investments behind priority brands and launches. Net income was USD 3.6 billion (+34%, +37% cc), mainly driven by higher operating income, partly offset by higher income taxes. EPS was USD 1.83 (+40%, +42% cc), benefiting from the lower weighted average number of shares outstanding. Core operating income was USD 5.6 billion (+23%, +27% cc), mainly driven by higher net sales, partly offset by higher investments behind priority brands and launches, and R&D investments. Core operating income margin was 42.1% of net sales, increasing 3.7 percentage points (4.0 percentage points cc). Core net income was USD 4.5 billion (+22%, +26% cc), mainly due to higher core operating income. Core EPS was USD 2.28 (+27%, +31% cc), benefiting from the lower weighted average number of shares outstanding. Free cash flow amounted to USD 3.4 billion (+66% USD), compared with USD 2.0 billion in the prior-year quarter, driven by higher net cash flows from operating activities. Q1 priority brands Underpinning our financial results in the quarter is a continued focus on key growth drivers (ranked in order of contribution to Q1 growth) including: Entresto(USD 2 261 million, +22% cc) sustained robust, demand-led growth globally, including in China and Japan with increased penetration in hypertensionKisqali(USD 956 million, +56% cc) sales grew strongly across all regions, including +87% growth in the US with strong momentum from the recently launched early breast cancer indication as well as continued share gains in metastatic breast cancerKesimpta(USD 899 million, +43% cc) sales grew across all regions driven by increased demand and strong accessCosentyx(USD 1 534 million, +18% cc) sales grew mainly in the US, emerging growth markets and Europe, driven by recent launches as well as volume growth in core indicationsLeqvio(USD 257 million, +72% cc) continued steady growth, with a focus on increasing account and patient adoption, and continuing medical educationScemblix(USD 238 million, +76% cc) sales grew across all regions, demonstrating the continued high unmet need in CML and strong momentum from the recently launched early-line indication in the USFabhalta(USD 81 million) sales grew driven by continued launch execution across all markets in PNH as well as the recent launch in IgAN in the USPluvicto(USD 371 million, +21% cc) continued stable performance in the US and grew in Europe in the mCRPC post-taxane setting. With the FDA’s approval for earlier use before chemotherapy, which approximately triples the eligible patient population, the focus is on driving demand in established RLT sites while activating new sites and supporting referring providers to enable patient accessZolgensma(USD 327 million, +13% cc) sales grew as it continues to demonstrate strong performance in the incident populationLutathera(USD 193 million, +15% cc) sales grew mainly in the US, Europe and Japan due to increased demand and earlier line adoption particularly in the US and Japan Net sales of the top 20 brands in the first quarter Q1 2025 % change USD mUSDccEntresto2 2612022Cosentyx1 5341618Kisqali 9565256Kesimpta 8994143Tafinlar + Mekinist 5521619Promacta/Revolade 54658Jakavi 49237Xolair 4561419Ilaris 4191820Tasigna 377-5-2Pluvicto 3712021Zolgensma 3271113Sandostatin Group 317-11-9Leqvio 2577072Scemblix 2387576Lutathera 1931415Lucentis 189-40-38Exforge Group 179-7-1Diovan Group 150712Galvus Group 124-17-11Top 20 brands total10 8371719 R&D update - key developments from the first quarter New approvals Pluvicto(lutetium Lu177 vipivotide tetraxetan)FDA expanded the indication for Pluvicto to include patients with PSMA-positive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) who have been treated with an androgen receptor pathway inhibitor and are considered appropriate to delay chemotherapy, approximately tripling the eligible patient population. Vanrafia(atrasentan)FDA granted an accelerated approval for Vanrafia for the reduction of proteinuria in adults with primary immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) at risk of rapid disease progression. Vanrafia can be seamlessly added to supportive care in IgAN and used as a foundational therapy.Fabhalta(iptacopan)Fabhalta was approved by the US FDA, European Commission and China’s NMPA for adult patients with C3 glomerulopathy (C3G), making it the first and only treatment approved for this condition in all three markets. Regulatory updates RemibrutinibRegulatory submissions for remibrutinib for the treatment of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) were completed in the US, EU and China. A priority review voucher was used in the US and approval is anticipated in H2 2025, and priority review was granted in China. Scemblix(asciminib)Regulatory submission for Scemblix in adults with newly diagnosed CML was completed in the EU based on 96-week data from the Phase III ASC4FIRST study. Results from ongoing trials and other highlights OAV101 IT(onasemnogene abeparvovec)Novartis announced positive safety and efficacy results from the Phase III program for investigational intrathecal OAV101 IT in a broad population of patients aged two to <18 years with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). In the Phase III STEER study, treatment with OAV101 IT led to a statistically significant and clinically meaningful 2.39-point improvement on the Hammersmith Functional Motor Scale Expanded vs. 0.51 points in the sham control arm. In addition, in the Phase IIIb STRENGTH study, treatment with OAV101 IT in patients who have discontinued treatment with nusinersen or risdiplam demonstrated stabilization of motor function over 52 weeks of follow-up. OAV101 IT demonstrated a favorable safety profile, consistent in both treatment-naïve and treatment-experienced patients. Data were presented at MDA.RemibrutinibThe New England Journal of Medicine published data from the 24-week double-blind placebo-controlled period of the Phase III REMIX-1 and -2 studies. Remibrutinib showed early symptom improvement and sustained efficacy, with improvements in CSU symptoms compared to placebo observed as early as week 1 and response rate maintained through the double-blind treatment period. Remibrutinib was well tolerated, with overall adverse event rates comparable to placebo. Multiple analyses of the REMIX-1 and -2 trials were presented at medical congresses in Q1. At AAAAI, long-term results showed that patients experienced improved urticaria control within two weeks of starting treatment. Patients who switched from placebo to remibrutinib at week 24 achieved similar improvements through week 52. At AAD, data was presented showing that treatment with remibrutinib had positive effects on sleep and daily activities for CSU patients.IanalumabThe results of Phase II VAYHIT3 study in adult patients with advanced primary ITP, previously treated with at least a corticosteroid and a thrombopoietin receptor agonist, indicate that a short course of ianalumab has clinically meaningful efficacy and is well tolerated in these patients. These results will be presented at a future medical meeting and are expected to support a filing in second-line ITP, based on the Phase III VAYHIT2 study, expected to read out in H2 2025.Selected transactionsNovartis has completed the acquisition of Anthos Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing abelacimab, a potential first-in-class monoclonal antibody targeting the FXI inhibition pathway in development for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with atrial fibrillation. The acquisition adds a Phase III asset and is aligned with the Novartis growth strategy and expertise in the cardiovascular therapeutic area. Capital structure and net debt Retaining a good balance between investment in the business, a strong capital structure, and attractive shareholder returns remains a priority. In Q1 2025, Novartis repurchased a total of 24.8 million shares for USD 2.6 billion on the SIX Swiss Exchange second trading line under the up-to USD 15 billion share buyback announced in July 2023 (with up to USD 2.7 billion still to be executed). In addition, 1.5 million shares (equity value of USD 0.2 billion) were repurchased from employees. In the same period, 10.5 million shares (equity value of USD 0.3 billion) were delivered to employees related to equity-based compensation plans. Novartis aims to offset the dilutive impact from equity-based compensation plans of employees over the remainder of the year. Consequently, the total number of shares outstanding decreased by 15.8 million versus December 31, 2024. These treasury share transactions resulted in an equity decrease of USD 2.5 billion and a net cash outflow of USD 2.7 billion. Net debt increased to USD 22.3 billion at March 31, 2025, compared with USD 16.1 billion at December 31, 2024. The increase was mainly due to the free cash flow of USD 3.4 billion being more than offset by the USD 5.3 billion annual net dividend payment in March (which is the gross dividend of USD 7.8 billion reduced by the USD 2.5 billion Swiss withholding tax that was paid in April 2025, according to its due date), cash outflows for treasury share transactions of USD 2.7 billion and cash outflows for purchases of intangible assets of USD 1.2 billion. As of Q1 2025, the long-term credit rating for the company is Aa3 with Moody’s Ratings and AA- with S&P Global Ratings. 2025 outlook Barring unforeseen events; growth vs. prior year in ccNet salesExpected to grow high single-digitCore operating incomeExpected to grow low double-digit Key assumptions: We assume Tasigna, Promacta and Entresto US generic entry mid-2025 for forecasting purposes Foreign exchange impact If late-April exchange rates prevail for the remainder of 2025, the foreign exchange impact for the year would be 0 percentage points on net sales and negative 2 percentage points on core operating income. The estimated impact of exchange rates on our results is provided monthly on our website. Key figures1 Q1 2025Q1 2024% change USD m USD mUSDccNet sales to third parties13 23311 8291215Operating income4 6633 3733844As a % of sales35.228.5 Net income3 6092 6883437EPS (USD)1.831.314042Net cash flows from operating activities3 6452 26561 Non-IFRS measures Free cash flow 3 3912 03866 Core operating income5 5754 5372327As a % of sales42.138.4 Core net income4 4823 6812226Core EPS (USD)2.281.802731 1. Constant currencies (cc), core results and free cash flow are non-IFRS measures. An explanation of non-IFRS measures can be found on page 31 of the Condensed Interim Financial Report. Unless otherwise noted, all growth rates in this Release refer to same period in prior year. Detailed financial results accompanying this press release are included in the Condensed Interim Financial Report at the link below:https://ml-eu.globenewswire.com/resource/download/f5843473-7c9e-4c13-b263-db739fdcf6d6/ DisclaimerThis press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that can generally be identified by words such as “anticipate,” “can,” “will,” “continue,” “ongoing,” “growth,” “launch,” “expect,” “expand,” “deliver,” “accelerate,” “deliver,” “guidance,” “outlook,” “priority,” “potential,” “momentum,” or similar expressions, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential new products, potential new indications for existing products, potential product launches, or regarding potential future revenues from any such products; or regarding results of ongoing clinical trials; or regarding potential future, pending or announced transactions; regarding potential future sales or earnings; or by discussions of strategy, plans, expectations or intentions, including discussions regarding our continued investment into new R&D capabilities and manufacturing; or regarding our capital structure. Such forward-looking statements are based on the current beliefs and expectations of management regarding future events and are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. There can be no guarantee that the investigational or approved products described in this press release will be submitted or approved for sale or for any additional indications or labeling in any market, or at any particular time. Nor can there be any guarantee that such products will be commercially successful in the future. Neither can there be any guarantee that the expected benefits or synergies from the transactions described in this press release will be achieved in the expected timeframe, or at all. In particular, our expectations could be affected by, among other things: uncertainties concerning global healthcare cost containment, including ongoing government, payer and general public pricing and reimbursement pressures and requirements for increased pricing transparency; uncertainties regarding the success of key products, commercial priorities and strategy; uncertainties in the research and development of new products, including clinical trial results and additional analysis of existing clinical data; our ability to obtain or maintain proprietary intellectual property protection, including the ultimate extent of the impact on Novartis of the loss of patent protection and exclusivity on key products; uncertainties regarding our ability to realize the strategic benefits, operational efficiencies or opportunities expected from our external business opportunities; uncertainties in the development or adoption of potentially transformational digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, and business models; uncertainties surrounding the implementation of our new IT projects and systems; uncertainties regarding potential significant breaches of information security or disruptions of our information technology systems; uncertainties regarding actual or potential legal proceedings, including regulatory actions or delays or government regulation related to the products and pipeline products described in this press release; safety, quality, data integrity, or manufacturing issues; our performance on and ability to comply with environmental, social and governance measures and requirements; major macroeconomic and geo- and socio-political developments, including the impact of any potential tariffs on our products or the impact of war in certain parts of the world; uncertainties regarding future global exchange rates; uncertainties regarding future demand for our products; and other risks and factors referred to in Novartis AG’s most recently filed Form 20-F and in subsequent reports filed with, or furnished to, the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Novartis is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. All product names appearing in italics are trademarks owned by or licensed to Novartis. About Novartis Novartis is an innovative medicines company. Every day, we work to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people’s lives so that patients, healthcare professionals and societies are empowered in the face of serious disease. Our medicines reach nearly 300 million people worldwide. Reimagine medicine with us: Visit us at https://www.novartis.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram. Novartis will conduct a conference call with investors to discuss this news release today at 14:00 Central European time and 8:00 Eastern Time. A simultaneous webcast of the call for investors and other interested parties may be accessed by visiting the Novartis website. A replay will be available after the live webcast by visiting https://www.novartis.com/investors/event-calendar. Detailed financial results accompanying this press release are included in the Condensed Interim Financial Report at the link below. Additional information is provided on our business and pipeline of selected compounds in late-stage development. A copy of today's earnings call presentation can be found at https://www.novartis.com/investors/event-calendar. Important datesJuly 17, 2025October 28, 2025November 19-20, 2025Second quarter & half year 2025 resultsThird quarter & nine months 2025 resultsMeet Novartis Management 2025 (London, UK) Novartis Media RelationsE-mail: media.relations@novartis.com Novartis Investor RelationsCentral investor relations line: +41 61 324 7944E-mail: investor.relations@novartis.com Please find full media release in English attached and on the following link: Media release (PDF) Further language versions are available through the following links: German version is available through the following link: Medienmitteilung (PDF)

EAST HANOVER, NJ, USA I April 2, 2025 I Novartis today announced the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted accelerated approval for Vanrafia ® (atrasentan), a potent and selective endothelin A (ETA) receptor antagonist, for the reduction of proteinuria in adults with primary immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) at risk of rapid disease progression. This is generally defined as a urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (UPCR) ≥1.5 g/g 1 . Vanrafia is a once-daily, non-steroidal, oral treatment that can be added onto supportive care, including a renin-angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitor with or without a sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor 1,2 . Vanrafia was granted accelerated approval based on a prespecified interim analysis of the Phase III ALIGN study measuring the reduction of proteinuria at 36 weeks compared to placebo 1 . It has not been established whether Vanrafia slows kidney function decline in patients with IgAN. The continued approval of Vanrafia may be contingent upon the verification of clinical benefit from the ongoing Phase III ALIGN study evaluating whether Vanrafia slows disease progression as measured by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline at week 136 1 . The eGFR data are expected in 2026 and intended to support traditional FDA approval. “Today’s approval marks an important milestone for people living with IgA nephropathy, offering a new option that can be seamlessly integrated into their existing treatment plan, with no REMS requirement,” said Richard Lafayette, M.D., F.A.C.P., Professor of Medicine, Nephrology and Director of the Glomerular Disease Center at Stanford University Medical Center, and Vanrafia ALIGN Study Investigator and Steering Committee Member. “Vanrafia is a selective ETA receptor antagonist that effectively reduces proteinuria, a major risk factor in IgAN. Taking early, decisive action is critical to help improve outcomes for these patients who too often progress toward kidney failure.” IgAN is a progressive, rare kidney disease in which the immune system attacks the kidneys, often causing glomerular inflammation and proteinuria 10 . With almost 13 out of every million people in the US diagnosed per year, it is one of the most common autoimmune kidney diseases, and each person’s journey is unique 11,12 . Up to 50% of IgAN patients with persistent proteinuria progress to kidney failure within 10 to 20 years of diagnosis, often requiring maintenance dialysis and/or kidney transplantation 3-10 , and response to treatment can vary 12,13 . Effective, targeted therapies with different mechanisms of action can help physicians select the most appropriate treatment for patients 12 . “My son was diagnosed with IgA nephropathy long before there were any medicines approved to treat this condition, so the availability of multiple treatment options is incredibly meaningful for this community,” said Bonnie Schneider, Director and Co-Founder, IgA Nephropathy Foundation. “The approval of Vanrafia broadens the treatment landscape and expands the opportunity to tailor care in a disease that can impact each patient so differently.” Data supporting approval In the ongoing Phase III ALIGN study, patients receiving Vanrafia in combination with a RAS inhibitor achieved clinically meaningful and statistically significant proteinuria reduction of 36.1% (P<0.0001) compared to placebo, with results seen as early as week 6 and sustained through week 36 1,2,14 . The effect of Vanrafia on UPCR was consistent across subgroups, including age, sex, race, and baseline disease characteristics, such as eGFR and proteinuria levels, in the main study cohort 1 . A similar treatment effect of Vanrafia was seen in an additional group of patients treated with both a RAS inhibitor and an SGLT2 inhibitor (37.4% reduction in UPCR vs. placebo) 1 . The ALIGN study showed that Vanrafia has a favorable safety profile consistent with previously reported data 1 . Adverse events reported in ≥2% of patients treated with Vanrafia, and more frequently than placebo, include peripheral edema, anemia, and liver transaminase elevation 1 . Because some endothelin receptor antagonists have caused elevations of aminotransferases, hepatotoxicity, and liver failure, clinicians should obtain liver enzyme testing before initiating Vanrafia and during treatment when clinically indicated. Vanrafia may cause serious birth defects 1 . Vanrafia does not require a REMS program. Transforming care in kidney disease “We are proud to expand the treatment landscape in IgA nephropathy with today’s FDA accelerated approval of Vanrafia. IgAN is a heterogenous condition that requires differentiated therapies with unique mechanisms of action, and with our multi-asset kidney disease portfolio, we are well positioned to support a broad patient population and advance care for this disease,” said Victor Bultó, President, US, Novartis. “Building on our longstanding legacy in nephrology, we continue to rapidly grow our capabilities in this space. Each launch enables us to more effectively reach patients with the most suitable treatment option and deliver on our promise to transform kidney disease care.” This is the third US approval received by Novartis for its kidney disease portfolio in the last year, with Fabhalta ® having been granted FDA approval in C3 glomerulopathy (C3G) in March 2025 and accelerated approval in IgAN in August 2024 15 . Fabhalta is also being studied in a broad range of rare kidney diseases, including atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), immune complex membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (IC-MPGN) and lupus nephritis (LN). Studies are ongoing to evaluate the safety and efficacy profiles in these investigational indications and support potential regulatory submissions. An investigational subcutaneously administered anti-APRIL monoclonal antibody, zigakibart, is currently in Phase III development in IgAN, with results expected in 2026 16 . About ALIGN The ALIGN study ( NCT04573478 ) is a global, randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase III clinical trial comparing the efficacy and safety of Vanrafia versus placebo in patients with IgAN at risk of progressive loss of kidney function 1,14 . In total, 340 individuals with biopsy-proven IgAN with baseline total proteinuria ≥1 g/day despite optimized RAS inhibitor treatment were randomized to receive once-daily, oral Vanrafia (0.75 mg) or placebo for approximately 132 weeks 1,2 . Patients continue receiving a maximally tolerated and stable dose of a RAS inhibitor as supportive care (unless they are unable to tolerate RAS inhibitor therapy) 1,2 . An additional group of 64 patients receiving an SGLT2 inhibitor for at least 12 weeks was also enrolled 1,2 . The primary efficacy endpoint for the interim analysis is change in proteinuria, a marker of kidney damage, as measured by 24-hour UPCR from baseline to 36 weeks 1,2,14 . Secondary and exploratory objectives include evaluating the change in kidney function from baseline to 136 weeks as measured by eGFR, as well as safety and tolerability 1,14 . Novartis in kidney disease Building on a 40-year legacy that began in transplant, Novartis is on a mission to empower breakthroughs and transform care in kidney health, starting with kidney conditions that have significant unmet need. Historically, these conditions have had considerably less funding and research, leading to a treatment landscape largely focused on reactive or end-stage disease management, often with significant physical, emotional, and financial burdens. Our pipeline targets the underlying causes of disease, with an aim to protect kidney health and delay or prevent dialysis and/or transplantation. Our goal is to help patients get back to living life on their terms—whether at work, in school, or with loved ones, and by partnering with patients, advocates, clinicians and policymakers, we aim to raise awareness, accelerate diagnosis and get patients the right care, sooner. VANRAFIA Indications VANRAFIA is a prescription medicine used to reduce protein in the urine (proteinuria) in adults with a kidney disease called primary immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) who are at risk of their disease getting worse quickly. It is not known if VANRAFIA is safe and effective in children. VANRAFIA is approved based on a reduction of proteinuria. Continued approval may require results from an ongoing study to determine whether VANRAFIA slows decline in kidney function. Please see full Prescribing Information , including Boxed WARNING and Medication Guide . FABHALTA Indications FABHALTA is a prescription medicine used to: It is not known if FABHALTA is safe and effective in children with PNH, IgAN, or C3G. Please see full Prescribing Information , including Boxed WARNING and Medication Guide . About Novartis Novartis is an innovative medicines company. Every day, we work to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people’s lives so that patients, healthcare professionals and societies are empowered in the face of serious disease. Our medicines reach nearly 300 million people worldwide. Reimagine medicine with us: Visit us at https://www.novartis.com and https://www.novartis.us and connect with us on LinkedIn , LinkedIn US , Facebook , X/Twitter , X/Twitter US and Instagram . References SOURCE: Novartis