TBPN Novartis Buys Excellergy for $2B, Anthropic Vs. Pentagon, The Mansion Section | Diet TBPN
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Mar 28, 2026 A biotech stealth startup lands a $2 billion buyout. AI in pharma gets attention for speeding paperwork and trials. There is also a legal clash between Anthropic and the Pentagon, plus fresh IPO buzz. Then the conversation jumps to OpenAI ads, Apple’s AI assistant shake-up, a famous JFK penthouse sale, and over-the-top ski house social scenes.
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Excellergy Ran The Biotech Playbook Cleanly
- Excellergy followed a classic biotech arc from academic IgE research to a stealth startup, big Series A, and Phase 1 dosing before selling.
- The company targeted allergies with EXL111, aiming to beat Xolair by acting faster, suppressing IgE more deeply, and lasting longer between doses.
Todd Zavodnik Keeps Repeating Billion Dollar Exits
- Todd Zavodnik joined Excellergy in 2025 and sold it in under a year, continuing a pattern of outsized exits.
- John Coogan notes he previously sold Zeltiq to Allergan for $2.4 billion and Dermavant for $1.2 billion in 2024.
Novartis Bought A Successor To Xolair
- Novartis buying Excellergy fits a bolt-on pharma strategy more than a moonshot acquisition.
- Xolair made $1.7 billion in 2025, key patents are nearing expiry, and the $2 billion deal includes milestone-based payouts tied to development and commercial results.