Novartis agreed to acquire Myricx Bio for up to $1.5 billion, aiming to strengthen its oncology pipeline with a next-generation antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) payload platform. Myricx’s approach centers on N-myristoyltransferase inhibitor (NMTi) payloads, designed to be delivered directly into tumor cells to address resistance and toxicity limitations seen with conventional ADC warheads. Novartis will pay $1.1 billion upfront and up to $400 million in milestones, with the acquisition expected to close in the second half of 2026. Myricx’s preclinical data reportedly supports activity across multiple solid tumors, including models resistant to topoisomerase and tubulin inhibitor payload classes. The deal signals Novartis’ continued platform-building strategy in oncology and expands its ADC payload innovation beyond current payload mechanisms.