Novartis AG has agreed to buy U.S. biotech firm Regulus Therapeutics Inc. in a deal that could be valued at up to $1.7 billion.

With the merger, the Swiss pharmaceutical company aims to bring to more patients farabursen, a kidney-disease treatment developed by Regulus.

After announcing successful trial results for its lead mRNA treatment earlier this year, Regulus Therapeutics agreed to be acquired by Novartis. 1 This will add the potential kidney disease treatment to Novartis’ already expansive pipeline of treatments for renal disease.