近期诺华刚剥离爱尔康，武田刚620亿美元收购Shire，都面临战略调整，诺华此次加强眼科领域的核心地位，武田聚焦更核心的胃肠道、罕见病、肿瘤、神经系统等疾病，将剥离100亿美元左右非核心资产。lifitegrast是夏尔的上市眼科药，很明显武田收购后需要偿还债务。

53亿美元的分子

Xiidra (lifitegrast ophthalmic solution) 5% fits strategically within industry-leading USD 4.6 billion Novartis ophthalmic pharmaceutical portfolio, laying groundwork for front-of-the-eye pipeline products currently in development
 

Xiidra is the first and only prescription treatment approved for both signs and symptoms of dry eye disease with a mechanism of action that targets inflammation
 

Xiidra achieved USD 0.4 billion of revenue in 2018 and is well positioned for blockbuster potential; closing expected in second half of 2019, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals 
 

Deal terms include a USD 3.4 billion upfront payment with potential milestone payments of up to USD 1.9 billion

The news comes after Novartis spun off its Alcon eye care business last month, while the drugmaker indicated that it did not intend to separate its Sandoz unit into an independent company. The company has also entered into deals in recent months, including the acquisition of IFM Therapeutics' IFM Tre unit. 

Meanwhile, Takeda, which said the deal will not have a material impact on its financial guidance, is offloading Xiidra as part of its $62-billion takeover of Shire. CEO Christophe Weber commented "these initial divestitures represent important steps in advancing the growth strategy Takeda outlined following our transformational acquisition of Shire earlier this year." Takeda today announced that it has entered into agreements to divest its TachoSil® Fibrin Sealant Patch (“TachoSil®”) to Ethicon as part of its strategy to focus on business areas core to its long-term growthand facilitate rapid deleveraging following its acquisition of Shire.Divest TachoSil® to Ethicon* for approximately $400 million

Takeda had previously unveiled plans to divest $10 billion in non-core assets to help offset its $31-billion debt load incurred as part of the Shire transaction, which had led to a credit downgrade. The Japanese drugmaker has also previously disclosed that it did not intend to offload its over-the-counter consumer business. 

Novartis announced today that it has entered into an agreement with Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited to acquire the assets associated with Xiidra® (lifitegrast ophthalmic solution) 5% worldwide. Xiidra is the first and only prescription treatment approved to treat both signs and symptoms of dry eye by inhibiting inflammation caused by the disease. The transaction would bolster the Novartis front-of-the-eye portfolio and ophthalmic leadership. Closing of the transaction is expected in second half of 2019, subject to customary closing conditions including regulatory approvals. On closing, Novartis plans a smooth transition of operations and integration of Xiidra into its pharmaceuticals portfolio.

Dry eye is a common inflammatory disease that, left untreated, can become extremely painful and lead to permanent damage to the cornea and vision. This damage manifests in the form of signs that can be objectively measured by eye care professionals through various clinical tests (such as corneal staining), and symptoms (such as pain and discomfort). Xiidra, with its anti-inflammatory mechanism of action, is the first dry eye treatment approved to treat both the signs of eye damage and the physical symptoms experienced by patients. Additional benefits of Xiidra, exhibited in phase III studies, include a timely onset of action and well-tolerated safety profile.

"Xiidra, with its unique dual benefits, is an example of the type of innovative advances we invest in for the benefit of patients," said Paul Hudson, CEO Novartis Pharmaceuticals. "We look forward to leveraging our well-established commercial infrastructure to bring this medicine to more patients."

In addition to powering Novartis' ability to serve more patients suffering from eye disease, the additional commercial experience established with Xiidra is expected to better position the company for front-of-the-eye pipeline products currently in development.

Deal terms include a USD 3.4 billion upfront payment with potential milestone payments of up to USD 1.9 billion. As part of the agreement, Novartis will be taking on approximately 400 employees associated with the product.

About Novartis in ophthalmology