Novo Nordisk and Evotec partner to develop diabetes drugs

Danish healthcare company Novo Nordisk has entered into an alliance with Germany-based Evotec to develop treatments for diabetes and obesity.

As part of the deal, which was announced yesterday, August 22, Evotec will use its drug discovery platform to design products to address diabetes, obesity and associated morbidities such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetic kidney disease.

After pre-clinical candidates are selected, Novo Nordisk will use Evotec’s platform to move through pre-clinical studies and enter investigational new drug application registration.

The World Health Organization estimates that more than 382 million people worldwide have diabetes, a metabolic disorder that affects blood sugar levels.

Mario Polywka, chief operating officer of Evotec, said: “The integration of our industry-leading discovery and development platform with Novo Nordisk’s deep disease expertise will create a powerful combination that we hope will create a difference for patients with diabetes or obesity.”

Marcus Schindler, senior vice president of global drug discovery at Novo, added that company is confident that the collaboration will “open up new possibilities in small molecule drug discovery and development” with the potential to” make a difference for people living with these serious diseases”.

Earlier this month, LSIPR reported that Novo bought a University of Bristol spin-out company for $800 million, in a deal which could transform the way diabetes is treated.

Novo’s acquisition of Bristol-based Ziylo could lead to the development of the world’s first glucose-responsive insulin, transforming the treatment of diabetes, the university said.

Did you enjoy reading this story?  Sign up to our free daily newsletters and get stories sent like this straight to your inbox.