A Tale of Two Legacies: Scientific Breakthrough and Legal Scandal at Chinook

The 2023 acquisition of biopharmaceutical firm Chinook Therapeutics by Swiss giant Novartis has culminated in a stark narrative of contrast. Two years later, the deal exemplifies both the pinnacle of medical achievement and a profound breach of legal and ethical standards.

The scientific promise that drove Novartis to complete its $3.2 billion purchase of Chinook in August 2023 has begun to bear fruit. In a significant development for patients, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted accelerated approval in April 2025 for the drug Vanrafia. Previously known as atrasentan, this once-daily tablet was a crown jewel in Chinook’s pipeline. Clinical data demonstrated its efficacy in reducing proteinuria?a key marker of kidney damage?by 36.1% in individuals suffering from IgA nephropathy, a... Read more...