Novartis announced its agreement to acquire Avidity Biosciences for roughly $12 billion in cash, a deal that hands Novartis a portfolio of RNA-based candidates targeting neuromuscular diseases. Novartis highlighted three late-stage programs, including treatments for Duchenne muscular dystrophy and myotonic dystrophy type 1, and suggested potential product launches before 2030. The deal carries a significant premium to Avidity’s prior close and reflects big‑pharma urgency to secure RNA-delivery platforms. The acquisition consolidates late‑stage neuromuscular assets under Novartis and accelerates its strategy in oligonucleotide and RNA modalities. Regulators and pipeline planners will focus on the integration timeline and the clinical readouts that are months away from regulatory submission. For readers: Avidity’s approach uses RNA-conjugate chemistry to deliver therapeutic oligonucleotides to muscle tissue; that delivery technology is central to the commercial value being paid.