Pharma Pulse: Novartis Buys Avidity for $12B, and Trump Threatens 10% Tariff Hike on Canada

Welcome to Pharma Pulse, a Pharmaceutical Commerce podcast where we bring you the latest insights shaping patient access, supply chain/logistics, data & tech, and healthcare innovation. I’m your host, and in today’s episode, we’re covering Novartis’ latest multibillion-dollar biotech acquisition, and escalating trade tensions as President Trump proposes a tariff hike on Canadian imports.

• In major M&A news, Novartis has entered a definitive agreement to acquire Avidity Biosciences for $12 billion. The deal strengthens Novartis’ position in RNA therapeutics, adding Avidity’s RNA-based antibody conjugate platform designed to deliver precision medicines for rare neuromuscular diseases. Executives say the acquisition complements Novartis’ push into advanced modalities and expands its long-term growth pipeline in genetic and RNA-targeting therapies.
• Lastly, in trade policy, President Donald Trump has threatened a 10% tariff hike on all Canadian imports, a move that could disrupt cross-border pharmaceutical and life sciences trade. Industry analysts warn that higher tariffs could raise production costs and strain supply chains for active pharmaceutical ingredients, packaging, and raw materials.

From billion-dollar biotech deals to potential tariff shocks, these developments illustrate the critical interplay between science, business, and policy shaping pharma’s global landscape.

That’s it for this episode of Pharma Pulse. For more insights on trends transforming pharmaceutical access and care delivery, visit pharmaceuticalcommerce.com.

Thanks for listening—until next time, stay well and stay informed.

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