09 Apr 2018 --- Novartis has entered into an agreement and plan of merger with AveXis, Inc. to acquire the US-based Nasdaq-listed clinical-stage gene therapy company for US$8.7 billion in cash (US$218 per share). The transaction was unanimously approved by the Boards of both companies. The move comes just days after Novartis agreed to sell its stake in a consumer healthcare joint venture for $13 billion to GlaxoSmithKline.