Avidity Biosciences stock soars on Novartis takeover approach report

Investing.com -- Avidity Biosciences (NASDAQ: RNA) stock surged 18% Wednesday after the Financial Times reported that Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis (NYSE: NVS) has approached the rare disease-focused biotech company about a potential takeover.

According to the report, which cited unidentified people familiar with the matter, Novartis has been evaluating a bid for Avidity and expressed interest in an acquisition in recent weeks. Avidity is reportedly working with advisers to assess its options.

The discussions are said to be at an early stage, and there is no guarantee that a deal will materialize, according to the sources cited in the report.

The news also lifted shares of Dyne Therapeutics (NASDAQ: DYN), a company operating in a similar space, which also jumped 18% on Wednesday.

Novartis has been actively reshaping its portfolio in recent years, focusing on high-growth areas including rare diseases. Any potential acquisition of Avidity would align with this strategy, potentially strengthening Novartis’s position in the rare disease treatment market.

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