Novo Nordisk and Septerna Forge $2.2B+ Collaboration on Oral Obesity and Diabetes Drugs

Novo Nordisk and Septerna have signed a global collaboration and licensing deal to develop oral small-molecule medicines for obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other cardiometabolic diseases, initially focusing on four programs targeting key G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) such as GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon receptors135.

Novo Nordisk will pay Septerna $200 million upfront plus up to $2.2 billion in research, development, and milestone payments, along with tiered royalties; Septerna also has an option for profit-sharing on one program135.

The partnership leverages Septerna’s Native Complex Platform for precise targeting of GPCRs and enables innovative approaches to drug discovery in this space345.

Novo Nordisk will lead global development and commercialization starting from IND-enabling activities, while Septerna retains the right to opt into profit-sharing for one product candidate135.

The deal comes as Novo Nordisk seeks to strengthen its pipeline of oral obesity drugs, facing strong competition from Eli Lilly and Structure Therapeutics, both advancing rival oral GLP-1 treatments1.

Sources:

1. https://www.biospace.com/business/novo-doubles-down-on-oral-obesity-meds-with-septerna-deal-worth-up-to-2-4b

3. http://www.pharmexec.com/view/novo-nordisk-septerna-global-collaboration-develop-cardiometabolic-medicines

4. https://www.biopharmadive.com/news/novo-nordisk-septerna-obesity-drug-collaboration/748085/

5. https://www.worldpharmaceuticals.net/news/novo-nordisk-septerna-enter-2-2bn-collaboration-for-gpcr-therapies/