Novo Nordisk Signs $812M Deal with Deep Apple to Develop Non-Incretin Obesity Drugs

Novo Nordisk has entered a research collaboration and exclusive worldwide license agreement with Deep Apple Therapeutics worth up to $812 million to develop small-molecule drugs targeting a non-incretin G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) for obesity and other cardiometabolic diseases125.

The deal includes an upfront payment, research costs, and milestone payments; Deep Apple will also receive royalties on future sales if any drugs reach the market25.

This marks a significant strategic move for Novo Nordisk, as it looks to expand its obesity and cardiometabolic pipeline beyond incretin pathways (such as those targeted by its flagship drugs Wegovy and Ozempic)12.

Deep Apple Therapeutics uses artificial intelligence and cryo-electron microscopy to discover and optimize small-molecule drug candidates, and the collaboration will leverage their technology to identify novel binding sites within GPCR targets1.

The drug candidates developed under this agreement are intended to be oral therapies, with research led by Deep Apple until clinical development, after which Novo Nordisk will take over development, manufacturing, and commercialization in all indications25.

Sources:

1. https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/novo-nordisk-finds-deep-apple-ripe-obesity-rd-inking-812m-deal-go-beyond-incretins

2. https://www.pharmaceutical-technology.com/news/novo-nordisk-signs-812m-research-deal-with-deep-apple-for-non-glp-1-drugs/

5. https://www.bioworld.com/articles/721012-deep-apple-signs-big-novo-deal-for-cardiometabolic-small-molecules