Novartis agreed to pay $1.1 billion upfront to acquire Myricx Bio, adding a preclinical antibody-drug conjugate payload platform built on N-myristoyltransferase (NMT) inhibitors. The Swiss pharma said the deal could include up to $400 million in additional milestones, with closing expected in the second half of 2026. Myricx’s payload approach is positioned as an orthogonal alternative to conventional chemotherapy warheads used in many ADCs, with lead candidates designed for HER2- and B7-H3-positive solid tumors. Novartis said two programs are slated to enter clinical development before the end of the year, reflecting a rapid intent to move beyond platform validation into human data. The acquisition aligns with Novartis’ broader oncology strategy to expand precision modalities and address resistance and toxicity limitations in today’s ADC market. The company said Myricx’s technology could broaden ADC use across multiple tumor settings if the payload delivers differentiated efficacy and tolerability. Investors also noted the deal’s timing as the ADC space continues to consolidate, with Big Pharma seeking differentiated mechanisms to compete against established leaders and pipeline incumbents.