Novartis is partnering with Versant Ventures to launch Borealis Biosciences, an independent, discovery-stage biotechnology company based in Vancouver, Canada. The new company’s focus will be developing next-generation medicines for kidney diseases utilizing xRNA, a core technology platform for Novartis that can target the body’s natural mRNA to modulate the production of proteins that cause disease.
The creation of Borealis was inspired by the success of Chinook Therapeutics, a kidney disease company founded by Versant in 2019 and acquired by Novartis in 2023. After the acquisition, Novartis recognized the scientific potential of Chinook’s legacy early research talent and Vancouver site.
Novartis transferred the Chinook site and certain employees to Borealis, allowing the continuation of drug discovery efforts by former Chinook researchers. The Vancouver site measures 23,000 square feet and features state-of-the-art wet labs for molecular and cellular biology, vivarium space, and chemistry and analytical capabilities.
The deal also includes a near-term research funding agreement, which gives Novartis the option to acquire two future development-ready programs under prespecified terms, complementing its strategic priorities in renal medicine and xRNA innovation. The company is currently investigating solutions for unmet needs in conditions such as IgA nephropathy, complement 3 glomerulopathy, atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, immune complex membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, and lupus nephritis.
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