Background on Key Players
Novo Nordisk: A Danish pharmaceutical company with a long-standing history of innovation in obesity and diabetes treatment.
Septerna: A biotechnology company specializing in G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) technology, with a unique platform called Native Complex Platform.
Details of the Collaboration
Novo Nordisk and Septerna have entered into a $2.2 billion collaboration agreement to develop oral small molecule medications targeting obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other cardiometabolic diseases.
Septerna will receive approximately $2.2 billion from Novo Nordisk in initial and milestone payments for research, development, and commercialization. Additionally, Septerna will receive escalating royalties on global net sales of the commercialized products.
Novo Nordisk will cover all research and development expenses for the collaborative programs.
Focus on GPCRs
The partnership will initially concentrate on four programs centered around G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), including GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon receptors, crucial for metabolic regulation.
Although GPCRs account for about 33% of FDA-approved drugs, only 25% have been explored as therapeutic targets. This presents a significant opportunity for pharmacological innovation.
GPCRs are the largest and most diverse family of cellular receptors, responsible for regulating functions across almost all human body systems.
Research and Development
Both companies will collaborate from discovery to candidate selection for development. Novo Nordisk will take exclusive responsibility for global development and commercialization post-IND (Investigational New Drug) application submission.
The programs will benefit from Novo Nordisk’s metabolic disease expertise and Septerna’s Native Complex Platform, which enables studying GPCRs in conditions closer to their natural environment.
Quotes from Leaders
“Leveraging different modalities gives us flexibility in terms of potential therapeutic targets, dosing regimens, and scalability,” said Marcus Schindler, Novo Nordisk’s Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer.
“Novo Nordisk’s established track record in developing transformative therapies, especially in metabolic diseases, makes them the ideal partner to advance a series of GPCR-focused programs targeting obesity, type 2 diabetes, and related conditions,” stated Jeffrey Finer, Septerna’s CEO and Co-Founder.
Agreement Conditions and Timeline
The agreement is subject to standard regulatory conditions, including approval under the U.S. Hart-Scott-Rodino Act. It is expected to close by the second quarter of 2025.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main focus of this collaboration? Novo Nordisk and Septerna are working together to develop oral small molecule medications for obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other cardiometabolic diseases.
- How much will Septerna receive from Novo Nordisk? Septerna is set to receive approximately $2.2 billion from Novo Nordisk in initial and milestone payments for research, development, and commercialization.
- What role will each company play in research and development? Both companies will collaborate from discovery to candidate selection. Novo Nordisk will take exclusive responsibility for global development and commercialization post-IND submission.
- Why are GPCRs important in this collaboration? GPCRs are the largest and most diverse family of cellular receptors, responsible for regulating functions across almost all human body systems. Only 25% have been explored as therapeutic targets, presenting a significant opportunity for pharmacological innovation.
- When is the agreement expected to close? The agreement is subject to standard regulatory conditions and is expected to close by the second quarter of 2025.
