Novartis has acquired Tourmaline Bio for $1.4 billion, gaining full rights to pacibekitug, an anti-IL-6 monoclonal antibody targeting atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Licensed originally from Pfizer and poised for late-stage outcomes studies, pacibekitug offers a new mechanism addressing inflammation-driven cardiovascular risk. The TRANQUILITY Phase II trial showed an 85% reduction in C-reactive protein, with safety comparable to placebo, positioning the drug as a promising alternative to cholesterol-focused therapies. Novartis aims to finalize the acquisition by year-end, bolstering its cardiovascular portfolio with this advanced candidate.