Avidity Biosciences Receives FTC Clearance for Novartis Merger

Avidity Biosciences ( (RNA) ) has provided an update.

On October 25, 2025, Avidity Biosciences entered into a merger agreement under which a Novartis wholly owned subsidiary will merge with Avidity, leaving Avidity as an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Novartis, and on December 14, 2025 the board approved steps to manage tax and compensation consequences tied to that deal. To mitigate potential “excess parachute payment” consequences under Sections 280G and 4999 of the U.S. tax code and preserve corporate tax deductions, the board accelerated into December 2025 the vesting and payment of certain 2025 bonuses and performance stock units that would otherwise have been paid on closing of the merger or in 2026 for selected executives, including specified cash bonuses and large tranches of performance stock units for four named officers, with no duplication of compensation and subject to tax withholding. Each affected executive entered into a clawback agreement requiring repayment of the accelerated amounts if they are terminated for cause or resign without good reason before the date those payments would originally have been made (or, for accelerated PSUs, before December 31, 2029). Separately, following Hart-Scott-Rodino filings on November 21, 2025, the Federal Trade Commission on December 17, 2025 granted early termination of the HSR waiting period for the merger and related spin-off transactions, clearing a key antitrust condition, though completion of the deal still depends on the separation of Atrium Therapeutics (SpinCo) and other customary closing conditions.

The most recent analyst rating on (RNA) stock is a Hold with a $75.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Avidity Biosciences stock, see the RNA Stock Forecast page.

Spark’s Take on RNA Stock

According to Spark, TipRanks’ AI Analyst, RNA is a Neutral.

Avidity Biosciences’ overall stock score is driven by strong technical momentum and positive corporate events, particularly the merger with Novartis. However, financial performance challenges and valuation concerns weigh on the score. The merger and recent positive trial results are significant positives, but profitability and cash flow issues remain critical areas for improvement.

To see Spark’s full report on RNA stock, click here.

More about Avidity Biosciences

Avidity Biosciences, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on developing RNA-based therapeutics, operating in the biopharmaceutical industry with a portfolio that includes programs and assets sufficiently strategic to attract acquisition interest from large pharmaceutical companies such as Novartis AG.

Average Trading Volume: 4,783,095

Technical Sentiment Signal: Buy

Current Market Cap: $10.85B

For detailed information about RNA stock, go to TipRanks’ Stock Analysis page.