Novartis Sells Agricultural Biologicals Assets to Syngenta

Health care stocks fell Wednesday afternoon with the NYSE Health Care Index down 0.8% and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) shedding 1%.

The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) dropped 0.7%.

In corporate news, Eli Lilly said it plans to build four pharmaceutical plants in the US, bringing capital expansion commitments in the country to $50 billion since 2020. Eli Lilly shares added 0.9%.

Novartis stockholder Sandoz Family Foundation is selling 26.5 million shares in a deal expected to raise 2.6 billion Swiss francs ($2.9 billion), media outlets reported, citing Goldman Sachs (GS). Novartis shares fell 1.7%.

Lantheus shares jumped 16% after the company's Q4 results and 2025 earnings guidance topped estimates by analysts.

Novartis stockholder Sandoz Family Foundation is selling about 26.5 million Novartis shares in a transaction expected to raise 2.6 billion Swiss francs ($2.90 billion), multiple media outlets reported Wednesday, citing Goldman Sachs .

Emasan AG, the investment arm of the Sandoz Family Foundation, priced the shares at 98.25 Swiss francs each, according to the reports.

The transaction, managed by Goldman Sachs through an accelerated bookbuilt offering, corresponds to roughly 1% of Novartis' outstanding shares, Reuters reported.

A Sandoz spokesperson told the Swiss financial news agency AWP that the sale is part of a diversification strategy but did not disclose further details, Swissinfo reported.

"The vast majority of our shareholders are institutional investors with a long-term view, and we expect this to continue," Novartis reportedly told Reuters.

Novartis, the Sandoz Family Foundation, and Goldman Sachs did not immediately respond to requests for comment from MT Newswires. Emasan could not be reached for comment.

(Updates to add Novartis' statement)

The Sandoz Family Foundation is selling 26.5 million shares in Novartis for up to $3 billion, Reuters reported Tuesday, citing the bookrunner for the accelerated bookbuilt offering.

The shares, representing a 1% stake, are being sold via the foundation's Emasan arm at 98.25 francs apiece. Emasan had a total stake of 4.1% at the end of 2024, the news outlet noted.

Novartis confirmed to MT Newswires the 1% stake sale by Emasan. "The vast majority of our shareholders are institutional investors with a long-term view, and we expect this to continue," the pharmaceutical company added.

(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

The Sandoz Family Foundation is selling 26.5 million shares in Novartis for up to $3 billion, Reuters reported Tuesday, citing the bookrunner for the accelerated bookbuilt offering.

The shares, representing a 1% stake, are being sold via the foundation's Emasan arm at 98.25 francs apiece. Emasan had a total stake of 4.1% at the end of 2024, the news outlet noted.

The pharmaceutical giant did not immediately respond to MT Newswires' request for comment.

(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

Health care stocks were rising late Tuesday afternoon, with the NYSE Health Care Index adding 0.8% and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) up 0.6%.

The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) shed 0.6%.

In corporate news, Novartis stakeholder Emasan is offering to sell around 26.5 million shares, or a 1.2% stake, in the pharmaceutical company, Bloomberg reported Tuesday. Novartis shares were rising 0.5%.

Eli Lilly on Tuesday launched higher doses of Zepbound, or tirzepatide, in single-dose vials and reduced the prices of two smaller doses of the weight-loss drug for self-pay patients. Its shares popped 2.5%.

Organovo said Tuesday that Eli Lilly will acquire its FXR program, including its lead asset FXR314. Organovo shares surged 236%.

UnitedHealth Group Chief Executive Andrew Witty was asked by Sen. Chuck Grassley, an Iowa Republican, to share detailed information on the company's Medicare billing practices, The Wall Street Journal reported. UnitedHealth shares were rising 1.7%.

Health care stocks were higher late Tuesday afternoon, with the NYSE Health Care Index adding 0.8% and the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) up 0.7%.

The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) shed 0.4%.

In corporate news, Novartis stakeholder Emasan is offering to sell around 26.5 million shares, or a 1.2% stake, in the pharmaceutical company, Bloomberg reported Tuesday. Novartis shares were rising 0.3%.