Novartis has agreed to acquire Excellergy in a deal worth up to $2 billion, adding Phase 1 anti-IgE antibody Exl-111 designed to deliver faster and deeper suppression of IgE signaling in allergic diseases.
Written By: Anand Sathappan, BPharm
Reviewed By: Pharmacally Editorial Team
Novartis has agreed to acquire Excellergy, Inc., a private biotechnology company developing next-generation therapies for allergic diseases, in a transaction valued at up to $2 billion in upfront and milestone payments. The deal adds Exl-111, a half-life-extended, high-affinity anti-IgE antibody currently being evaluated in a Phase 1 clinical trial.
The acquisition expands Novartis’ long-standing expertise in IgE biology and strengthens its presence in allergic disease. Exl-111 is designed as a next-generation extension of validated anti-IgE biology, with the potential to complement the company’s existing allergy portfolio across multiple allergic conditions and patient populations.
Exl-111 is engineered to deliver faster and deeper suppression of IgE signaling compared with conventional anti-IgE approaches. Unlike traditional therapies, the antibody is designed to dissociate receptor-bound IgE, enabling more rapid downregulation of the Fc epsilon RI alpha (FcεRIα) receptor on allergic effector cells. Preclinical findings and early pharmacokinetic data from ongoing Phase 1 evaluation suggest sustained exposure consistent with its half-life-extended design.
If confirmed in clinical studies, the mechanism could support earlier symptom relief, improved disease control, and more convenient dosing. The therapy could potentially be used across several IgE-mediated diseases, including food allergy, chronic spontaneous urticaria, chronic inducible urticaria, allergic asthma, and other allergic disorders, with possible applications in pediatric populations.
From Excellergy’s perspective, Exl-111 represents part of a broader platform of trifunctional ECRIs (Effector Cell Receptor Inhibitors) designed to disarm allergic effector cells at the source of activation by targeting the IgE signaling axis. The therapy is currently being evaluated in the Phase 1 DISARM trial, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study assessing single and multiple ascending doses. The first participants in the trial were dosed in February 2026.
“This acquisition validates the transformative potential of our ECRIs and the hard work of the entire Excellergy team,” said Todd Zavodnick, Chief Executive Officer of Excellergy. “Novartis brings world-class global development capabilities and a proven track record of bringing novel medicines to patients. Together, we will be ideally positioned to realize the full potential of Exl-111 and the broader ECRI pipeline for the millions of patients living with severe allergic diseases.”
“Excellergy adds a differentiated next-generation anti-IgE program that builds on biology Novartis knows well, supported by preclinical evidence and early clinical pharmacokinetic data,” said Fiona Marshall, President of Biomedical Research at Novartis. She noted that Exl-111 is designed to go beyond conventional anti-IgE therapy and may enable stronger suppression of IgE signaling and improved symptom control.
Under the terms of the agreement, Novartis will pay up to $2 billion in upfront and milestone payments to acquire Excellergy. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals.
Reference
Novartis agrees to acquire Excellergy, Inc., building on allergy leadership with next-generation anti-IgE innovation, 27 March 2026, Novartis agrees to acquire Excellergy, Inc., building on allergy leadership with next-generation anti-IgE innovation | Novartis
Excellergy to be acquired by Novartis for up to USD 2 billion to advance potentially first-in-class trifunctional effector cell response inhibitors, 26 March 2026, https://excellergy.com/excellergy-to-be-acquired-by-novartis-for-up-to-usd-2-billion-to-advance-potentially-first-in-class-trifunctional-effector-cell-response-inhibitors/
