Latest news with #DeepApple
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Novo Nordisk signs $812m research deal with Deep Apple for non-GLP-1 drugs
Novo Nordisk is eyeing a cardiometabolic drug market future that is not purely dominated by incretins, after signing a $812m partnership with Deep Apple Therapeutics to access novel compounds for obesity and other diseases. The research collaboration and exclusive worldwide license agreement will see Deep Apple tasked with discovering and optimising drug candidates directed at a non-incretin G protein-coupled receptor target. Novo Nordisk will then have the option to develop, manufacture, and commercialise the resulting compounds and products in all indications. Duties will be transferred before the start of clinical trials, though both companies will collaborate on the research plan. The breakdown of the $812m figure was not disclosed, though it is constituted of an upfront payment, research costs, and milestone payments. Deep Apple is also in line to receive royalties on sales on any products borne from the partnership that reach market. The agreement marks a significant moment for Novo Nordisk, as it channels substantial resources into research that is not centred around incretins. The drugmaker's flagship drug semaglutide, known under the brand names Wegovy and Ozempic for obesity and type 2 diabetes treatment respectively, targets the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R), a key component of the incretin system. Eli Lilly's rival drug tirzepatide, known under the brand names Mounjaro and Zepbound for weight loss and type 2 diabetes respectively, is a dual incretin – targeting both GLP-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptors. Novo Nordisk and Deep Apple have not disclosed the name of their intended target, saying only that is a 'non-incretin G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) that is well-suited for Deep Apple's platform.' Deep Apple's drug discovery platform combines machine-learning-powered virtual screening with structural biology enabled by cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). 'Novo Nordisk is developing a range of potential oral medicines for cardiometabolic diseases across modalities and targets, as we know that people living with these diseases have different needs and preferences,' said Jacob Sten Petersen, senior vice president of diabetes, obesity and MASH therapeutic area at Novo Nordisk. 'We look forward to exploring this novel target further based on Deep Apple's AI-powered platform and expertise in small molecule drug discovery,' Petersen added. Apple Tree Partners founded the Deep Apple in 2022, investing $52m in series A funding. The biotech used these funds to establish a pipeline that includes three metabolic disease programmes, with further assets across immune disorders and endocrine diseases. Deep Apple is the latest biotech Novo Nordisk has tapped in efforts to regain market share in the cardiometabolic disease market. Eli Lilly's tirzepatide is outpacing semaglutide in terms of sales, leading to declining share prices for the Danish big pharma. Novo Nordisk's new candidate, CagriSema, was hyped as a successor to semaglutide only to produce underwhelming results in a Phase III trial. Incidentally, the company listed two new trials on this week as it continues to evaluate the efficacy of the drug. Struggles at the drugmaker culminated in long-time CEO Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen stepping down in May 2025. Other deals initiated by Novo Nordisk in 2025 include a $345m pact with Gensaic, $50m invested in Variant Bio, and a potential $2bn deal with United Laboratories for a GLP-1/GIP/glucagon triple receptor agonist. "Novo Nordisk signs $812m research deal with Deep Apple for non-GLP-1 drugs" was originally created and published by Pharmaceutical Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
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Novo Nordisk, Deep Apple Launch Drug Discovery Alliance For Weight Loss Oral Therapies
Deep Apple Therapeutics, Inc. announced on Wednesday a research collaboration and exclusive worldwide license agreement with Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO) to discover, develop, and commercialize oral small molecule therapeutics directed at a novel non-incretin GPCR target for cardiometabolic diseases, including obesity. Under the terms of the agreement, Deep Apple will discover and optimize compounds using its proprietary drug discovery platform, which combines machine-learning-powered virtual screening with structural biology enabled by cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to dramatically improve speed, quality, and novelty in lead generation and optimization. Novo Nordisk will receive exclusive global rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize the resulting compounds and products in all companies will collaborate on the research plan, with program handoff to Novo Nordisk occurring immediately before the start of IND-enabling studies. Deep Apple is eligible to receive an upfront payment, research costs, and milestone payments from Novo Nordisk. Deep Apple will be eligible to receive up to $812 million in payments and potential royalties on sales of any products that emerge from the collaboration. Recently, the Danish pharma giant initiated a Phase 3 trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of cagrilintide sc combined with semaglutide sc (CagriSema sc) once weekly for weight management and long-term weight maintenance in obese participants. The two-part study in around 600 participants will last about 3 years and 3 months. In March, Novo Nordisk announced headline results from the REDEFINE 2 phase 3 trial in the global REDEFINE program. REDEFINE 2 is a 68-week efficacy and safety trial investigating once-weekly subcutaneous CagriSema compared to placebo. After 68 weeks, 61.9% of patients treated with CagriSema were on the highest dose. When evaluating treatment effects, if all people adhered to treatment, people treated with CagriSema achieved a weight loss of 15.7% after 68 weeks compared to 3.1% with placebo. Last week, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(NASDAQ:REGN) released interim results from the ongoing Phase 2 COURAGE trial evaluating Regeneron's trevogrumab (anti-GDF8/anti-myostatin) with semaglutide (GLP-1 receptor agonist) with or without garetosmab (anti-activin A) for obesity. The trial demonstrated that approximately 35% of semaglutide-induced weight loss was due to the loss of lean mass. Price Action: NVO stock is up 0.04% at $79.36 at the last check Wednesday. Read Next:Photo by JHVEPhoto via Shutterstock UNLOCKED: 5 NEW TRADES EVERY WEEK. Click now to get top trade ideas daily, plus unlimited access to cutting-edge tools and strategies to gain an edge in the markets. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? NOVO NORDISK (NVO): Free Stock Analysis Report This article Novo Nordisk, Deep Apple Launch Drug Discovery Alliance For Weight Loss Oral Therapies originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Novo signs $812 million weight-loss drug license deal with US biotech Deep Apple
(Reuters) -Denmark's Novo Nordisk is partnering with biotech company Deep Apple Therapeutics in a deal worth up to $812 million to develop drugs for cardiometabolic diseases, including obesity, the California-based company said on Wednesday. Deep Apple discovers drug candidates using its AI-based platform that screens virtual libraries of billions of compounds to cut drug discovery time, the company said. Under the deal, Novo will receive exclusive global rights to develop and commercialize so-called non-incretin oral therapies, which belong to a different class of medicines than its popular weight-loss and diabetes drugs Wegovy and Ozempic. WHY IT'S IMPORTANT Novo has been trying to strengthen its foothold in the potential $150 billion weight-loss drug market through the development of next-generation treatments as well as acquisitions and partnerships. In March, the company signed two licensing deals and gained access to experimental obesity drugs from Lexicon Pharmaceuticals and China-based United Laboratories International. CONTEXT Novo in May ousted CEO Lars Fruergaard Jorgensen over concerns the Danish company - a world leader in the lucrative weight-loss drug market - was losing its first-mover advantage. The company's shares have plunged since hitting a record high in June last year as competition, particularly from U.S. rival Eli Lilly, eats into its market share, while Novo's pipeline of new drugs has failed to impress investors. BY THE NUMBERS As part of the license agreement with Novo, Deep Apple will be eligible to receive up to $812 million in payments, as well as potential royalties on sales of any products that emerge from their collaboration. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Novo signs $812 million weight-loss drug license deal with US biotech Deep Apple
(Reuters) -Denmark's Novo Nordisk is partnering with biotech company Deep Apple Therapeutics in a deal worth up to $812 million to develop drugs for cardiometabolic diseases, including obesity, the California-based company said on Wednesday. Deep Apple discovers drug candidates using its AI-based platform that screens virtual libraries of billions of compounds to cut drug discovery time, the company said. Under the deal, Novo will receive exclusive global rights to develop and commercialize so-called non-incretin oral therapies, which belong to a different class of medicines than its popular weight-loss and diabetes drugs Wegovy and Ozempic. WHY IT'S IMPORTANT Novo has been trying to strengthen its foothold in the potential $150 billion weight-loss drug market through the development of next-generation treatments as well as acquisitions and partnerships. In March, the company signed two licensing deals and gained access to experimental obesity drugs from Lexicon Pharmaceuticals and China-based United Laboratories International. CONTEXT Novo in May ousted CEO Lars Fruergaard Jorgensen over concerns the Danish company - a world leader in the lucrative weight-loss drug market - was losing its first-mover advantage. The company's shares have plunged since hitting a record high in June last year as competition, particularly from U.S. rival Eli Lilly, eats into its market share, while Novo's pipeline of new drugs has failed to impress investors. BY THE NUMBERS As part of the license agreement with Novo, Deep Apple will be eligible to receive up to $812 million in payments, as well as potential royalties on sales of any products that emerge from their collaboration.
