Novartis Acquires 12.8 Percent Stake In BioLineRX

December 17, 2014 | The Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis AG purchased a 12.8 percent stake in the Israeli biopharmaceutical company BioLineRX as part of a multi-year collaboration deal. According to the agreement, Novartis will evaluate new projects presented for development and future licensing, as well as invest $10 million in BioLineRX. Novartis acquired an additional million American depository shares of BioLineRX, a company that will provide the Swiss biopharma company with access to Israeli research institutions, hospitals and biotech startup companies as part of the agreement. Novartis will have an exclusive right of first negotiation to license from BioLineRx each project.BioLineRX was founded in 2003 in Jerusalem and is publicly traded on the TASE and NASDAQ.