Novartis announced the acquisition of Tourmaline Bio for $1.4 billion, gaining rights to pacibekitug, an anti-IL-6 monoclonal antibody targeting atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Previously licensed from Pfizer, the drug demonstrated substantial reductions in inflammatory biomarkers in a Phase II trial. Novartis aims to advance pacibekitug into Phase III studies, addressing inflammation as a cardiovascular risk factor beyond cholesterol management.