DelveInsight’s analysis highlights the transformative impact of Novartis’ $1.4 billion acquisition of Tourmaline Bio (Nasdaq: TRML), announced on September 9, 2025. The deal underscores a paradigm shift toward anti-inflammatory strategies in treating atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD)—a progressive condition driven by systemic inflammation that affects millions worldwide.
Key ASCVD Market Highlights
- Pacibekitug, Tourmaline’s lead IL-6 monoclonal antibody, emerges as a first-in-class therapy directly targeting cardiovascular inflammation.
- 26 million U.S. patients are affected by ASCVD, one of the leading global causes of morbidity and mortality.
- Key ASCVD players: Novartis, Amgen, Merck, NewAmsterdam Pharma, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer, Regeneron, and Bristol Myers Squibb.
- The ASCVD market reached USD 23 billion in the 7MM in 2023 and is projected to grow at a 2.2% CAGR (2024–2034).
- Novartis’ offer of $48 per share represented a 59% premium over Tourmaline’s last closing price.
Market Impact and Patient Population
According to DelveInsight’s Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Market Insight, Epidemiology and Market Forecast report, there were 55.7 million diagnosed cases across the 7MM in 2023. The U.S. accounted for nearly 52% of the total market (USD 12 billion).
ASCVD encompasses coronary artery disease (CAD), cerebrovascular disease (stroke), and peripheral arterial disease (PAD). In 2023, 14 million men and 11 million women in the U.S. were affected, with inflammation increasingly recognized as a key driver of cardiovascular risk.
Download the ASCVD Market report to understand how this and other factors will affect the ASCVD therapeutic market @ ASCVD Market Trends.
Pacibekitug: A First-in-Class IL-6 Inhibitor
Pacibekitug targets interleukin-6 (IL-6), a central mediator of inflammation in ASCVD, offering a novel approach beyond lipid or blood pressure control. Administered quarterly, it directly addresses the inflammatory component of cardiovascular risk.
“With no widely adopted anti-inflammatory therapies for cardiovascular risk reduction, pacibekitug represents a potential breakthrough,” said Shreeram Aradhye, Chief Medical Officer at Novartis.
Clinical Validation and Efficacy
The TRANQUILITY Phase 2 trial (May 2025) showed strong efficacy in high-risk ASCVD patients with elevated CRP and chronic kidney disease:
- CRP reductions: 86% (50 mg), 75% (25 mg), 85% (15 mg) vs. 15% for placebo.
- Well-tolerated safety profile with the first successful quarterly IL-6 inhibitor regimen in cardiovascular disease.
Competitive Landscape and Market Positioning
Pacibekitug enters a market long dominated by statins, PCSK9 inhibitors, and other traditional agents. Competitors include Novo Nordisk’s ziltivekimab (monthly IL-6 inhibitor) and Amgen’s Olpasiran (siRNA for Lp(a)). Other key emerging drugs include NewAmsterdam’s Obicetrapib (CETP inhibitor) and Merck’s MK-0616.
Pacibekitug’s first-in-class anti-inflammatory profile and quarterly dosing provide meaningful differentiation and potential adherence advantages.
Explore the ASCVD Drug Battle: Pacibekitug vs. other ASCVD therapies. Discover how these breakthrough ASCVD therapies compare in efficacy, safety, cost, and market impact @ ASCVD Drugs Market.
Emerging ASCVD Pipeline Therapies
Next-generation ASCVD therapies under development include Amgen’s Olpasiran, NewAmsterdam’s Obicetrapib, and Merck’s MK-0616, among others. These candidates target lipoprotein(a), CETP, and novel inflammatory pathways, further diversifying treatment mechanisms.
Pacibekitug’s Phase 3–ready status, anti-inflammatory efficacy, and quarterly dosing position Novartis as a frontrunner in redefining cardiovascular risk reduction.
Discover more ASCVD pipeline therapies and their clinical progress @ https://www.delveinsight.com/sample-request/atherosclerotic-cardiovascular-disease-ascvd-market.
Novartis’ Broader Cardiovascular Strategy
The acquisition marks Novartis’ fourth cardiovascular investment in 2025, following collaborations with ProFound Therapeutics and Argo Biopharmaceutical. This move reinforces Novartis’ strategic focus on cardiovascular inflammation and opens potential for combination therapy synergies across its expanding portfolio.
Expert Perspective
Cardiologists emphasize inflammation’s growing role in ASCVD management.
“Targeting IL-6 represents a fundamental shift in treating cardiovascular disease,” experts note. “Pacibekitug directly addresses the inflammatory mechanism behind ASCVD progression.”
Learn more about what other Industry experts are saying about the Novartis-Tourmaline Bio acquisition and how it will impact the ASCVD treatment market @ Key Opinion Leaders on ASCVD Market.
Looking Ahead
DelveInsight’s analysts project that Novartis’ acquisition of Tourmaline Bio will reshape ASCVD treatment by introducing anti-inflammatory precision medicine into mainstream cardiovascular care. With inflammation emerging as a validated therapeutic target, pacibekitug may catalyze the next wave of innovation and redefine standards of care for high-risk ASCVD patients.
About DelveInsight
DelveInsight is a leading market research and consulting firm specializing in disease-specific insights and therapeutic market analysis. Their reports integrate real-world data, clinical trial findings, and expert interviews to deliver comprehensive industry intelligence.
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