Zealand Pharma and OTR Therapeutics in multi-program strategic collaboration for metabolic diseases
Zealand Pharma A/S and OTR Therapeutics have entered a multi-program strategic collaboration and license agreement to discover and develop novel therapeutics for multiple targets in metabolic diseases.15
The partnership combines Zealand Pharma’s expertise in obesity and metabolic health with OTR Therapeutics’ proprietary oral small‑molecule discovery platform and drug discovery capabilities.12
Under the agreement, OTR Therapeutics will lead research and preclinical development, using its proprietary discovery platform, while Zealand Pharma will be responsible for clinical development, regulatory submissions, and worldwide commercialization.13
OTR Therapeutics will receive an initial upfront payment of USD 20 million, which may increase to USD 30 million under pre-agreed conditions.12
OTR is eligible for preclinical, development, regulatory, and commercial milestone payments, for a potential total deal value of up to about USD 2.5 billion, with the majority tied to commercial milestones.126
In addition to milestones, OTR Therapeutics is eligible for tiered single‑digit royalties on worldwide net sales of any products resulting from the collaboration.12
The collaboration is designed to expand Zealand Pharma’s metabolic health pipeline into oral small‑molecule therapeutics, complementing its established peptide R&D platform.12
Zealand Pharma positions this deal as an early example of its updated strategy to build a leading global pipeline in obesity and metabolic health.18
OTR Therapeutics, launched in March 2025 and based in Shanghai’s Zhangjiang Hi‑Tech Park, focuses on oncology, immunology & inflammation, and cardiometabolic diseases, and leverages a global R&D partnership network.124
Both companies state that the goal is to develop next‑generation, potentially transformative treatments that significantly broaden options for people living with overweight, obesity, and other metabolic diseases worldwide.137
Sources:
1. https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/12/11/3203616/0/en/Zealand-Pharma-and-OTR-Therapeutics-enter-multi-program-strategic-collaboration-and-license-agreement-to-develop-novel-therapeutics-for-metabolic-diseases.html
2. https://fr.investing.com/news/company-news/zealand-pharma-sassocie-a-otr-therapeutics-pour-des-medicaments-contre-les-maladies-metaboliques-93CH-3183737
3. https://www.zonebourse.com/actualite-bourse/otr-therapeutics-et-zealand-pharma-a-s-concluent-un-partenariat-strategique-pour-developper-de-nouve-ce7d50dadf88f123
4. https://fr.investing.com/news/company-news/zealand-pharma-et-otr-therapeutics-forment-un-partenariat-dans-le-domaine-des-maladies-metaboliques-93CH-3183735
5. https://www.zealandpharma.com
6. https://www.pharmexec.com/view/otr-therapeutics-collaboration-zealand-develop-metabolic-disease-treatments
7. https://www.bioworld.com/articles/727041-zealand-pharma-and-otr-therapeutics-partner-in-metabolic-diseases
8. https://www.thepharmaletter.com/pharmaceutical/zealand-reveals-chinese-deal-and-leadership-ambitions-in-obesity-and-metabolic-health