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Important information: The value of investments can go down as well as up so you may get back less than you invest. Investors should note that the views expressed may no longer be current and may have already been acted upon. This is a third-party news feed and may not reflect Fidelity’s views.

IBT expects M&A activity to continue after Avidity takeover

(Sharecast News) - Shares in International Biotechnology Trust (IBT) were on the rise on Monday after Swiss pharma giant Novartis snapped up one of its portfolio companies for $12bn in cash. San Diego-based Avidity Biosciences, which specialising in RNA therapies for serious, genetic neuromuscular diseases, was IBT's eighth-largest holding in the medical investment group's quote portfolio, comprising 2.55% of the company's net asset value.

The acquisition was IBT's ninth M&A transaction involving a portfolio holding this year.

"By thinking like pharmaceutical business development departments, we have continued to successfully identify attractive acquisition targets, providing a substantial boost to shareholders' returns," said IBT portfolio managers Ailsa Craig and Marek Poszepczynski.

"With major pharmaceutical companies facing significant patent cliffs in the coming years, we expect this robust M&A environment to continue, providing further opportunities for IBT to take advantage."

Shares were up around 3% at 849.96p by 1358 GMT.

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