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Investing.com - Guggenheim downgraded Tourmaline Bio (NASDAQ:TRML) from Buy to Neutral following Novartis’ agreement to acquire the company for $48 per share, valuing the transaction at approximately $1.4 billion. The stock has shown remarkable momentum, surging over 109% in the past six months and currently trading near its 52-week high of $30.59.
The acquisition centers on Tourmaline’s IL-6-targeting antibody pacibekitug, which is being developed to address residual inflammatory risk in ASCVD (atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease) patients. Guggenheim considers the deal price fair and reflective of growing pharmaceutical industry interest in IL-6 as a target and the significant market opportunity in cardiovascular disease. According to InvestingPro data, the company maintains a strong financial position with more cash than debt and a healthy current ratio of 24.68, providing stability during the development phase.
Data from the Phase II TRANQUILITY study demonstrates that monthly or quarterly pacibekitug doses reduce hs-CRP levels in patients with elevated hs-CRP and chronic kidney disease by up to 86%, with a second dose leading to further deepening of responses.
Guggenheim highlights pacibekitug’s potential quarterly dosing schedule as a key differentiator from Novo Nordisk’s competing IL-6 monoclonal antibody (ziltivekimab), which is currently in multiple Phase III studies for ASCVD.
Initial data from Novo Nordisk’s program is expected sometime in 2026, according to Guggenheim’s analysis.
In other recent news, Novartis has announced an agreement to acquire Tourmaline Bio for $1.4 billion, equating to $48 per share in cash. This acquisition has been approved by the boards of both companies and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2025. The move allows Novartis to gain access to pacibekitug, an anti-IL-6 monoclonal antibody developed by Tourmaline, which is in late-stage development for treating atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. In light of the acquisition announcement, Wedbush has downgraded Tourmaline Bio’s stock rating from Outperform to Neutral, setting a price target of $48. The acquisition reflects Novartis’ strategic push into the cardiovascular sector by targeting systemic inflammation, a key factor in cardiovascular risk. These developments highlight significant changes in Tourmaline Bio’s corporate landscape.
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