Novo Nordisk Collaborates with US Biotech Firm to Develop Innovative Obesity Medications

Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk has announced a strategic partnership with the California-based biotech firm Septerna to develop new oral medications targeting obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other metabolic disorders. The alliance aims to harness Septerna’s expertise in drug discovery focused on G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), proteins crucial for transmitting signals from outside the cell to its interior. Many current widely used drugs act on GPCRs, highlighting their importance in therapeutic development.

This collaboration could be worth up to $2.2 billion, with nearly $200 million in upfront payments and additional milestones linked to research, development, and sales. Septerna will also earn royalties on future product revenues. Novo Nordisk will fund all research and development efforts related to these projects.

Septerna’s platform specifically targets GPCRs involved in blood sugar regulation and appetite control, including GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon receptors. Notably, Novo Nordisk’s well-known weight-loss drug Wegovy targets the GLP-1 receptor, while Eli Lilly’s Zepbound acts on both GLP-1 and GIP receptors.

According to Marcus Schindler, Novo Nordisk's Chief Scientific Officer, Septerna has demonstrated strong capabilities in GPCR drug discovery, which excites the company about developing small oral molecules targeting these receptors. The planned programs aim to produce pills that could replace current injectable weight-loss therapies, making treatment more accessible and convenient for patients.

With approximately 75% of GPCRs still unexplored for therapeutic use, this partnership presents significant opportunities for novel drug development. The deal has positively impacted stock prices, with Septerna’s shares jumping 69% pre-market, and Novo Nordisk’s shares seeing a modest rise in European markets.