Novo Nordisk and Korro Bio Collaborate on $530M RNA Editing Deal for Cardiometabolic Diseases

Partnership Details:
Novo Nordisk has entered into a collaboration with Korro Bio Inc., a Cambridge-based biotech company, to develop RNA-editing medicines for cardiometabolic diseases. The deal is worth up to $530 million.

Development Focus:
The partnership aims to create new genetic medicines by leveraging Korro Bio's RNA-editing technology. Korro will advance up to two programs through preclinical development, after which Novo Nordisk could bring the programs through clinical studies.

Financial Terms:
Korro Bio could receive up to $530 million in upfront, development, and commercial milestone payments, in addition to tiered royalties and R&D funding. The company will receive $10 million upfront for the first disease target and could be eligible for a second $10 million fee for the second target.

Strategic Impact:
The collaboration is expected to expand Novo Nordisk's presence in Massachusetts and enhance its capabilities in RNA editing for treating chronic diseases. For Korro Bio, the deal provides significant nondilutive capital to advance its internal pipeline, including its lead investigational treatment for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD).

Future Plans:
Korro Bio plans to submit a regulatory filing for the first-in-human trial of its lead treatment, KRRO-110, in the second half of 2024. The partnership with Novo Nordisk is seen as a strategic move to potentially bring targeted RNA editing to diseases with high prevalence.