Novartis has expanded its partnership with Argo Biopharma through a multi-asset licensing and options deal valued up to $5.2 billion, focusing on small interfering RNA (siRNA) candidates targeting severe hypertriglyceridemia and mixed dyslipidemia. The agreement includes an upfront payment of $160 million and options for ex-China rights with profit and loss sharing. One candidate, ANGPTL3-targeting BW-00112, is in Phase II trials in the US and China. This strategic move underscores Novartis's commitment to RNA therapeutics to address cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of global mortality.