Novo Nordisk signs insulin deal with Caisson

Texas-based biopharmaceutical company Caisson Biotech has expanded its partnership with diabetes therapy maker Novo Nordisk by giving Novo exclusive rights to commercialise an insulin treatment that uses Caisson’s drug delivery technology.

Caisson’s HEPtune is a vehicle for drug delivery based on heparosan, a biodegradable naturally occurring sugar polymer that is stable and inert in the bloodstream, and so has no known toxic effects. Caisson says HEPtune improves the performance of drug compounds in terms of safety and efficacy.

Novo Nordisk will also receive non-exclusive rights to use HEPtune in other therapeutic areas including diabetes care products, human growth hormone therapies, obesity treatments and in therapies that treat inflammatory diseases such as Crohn’s, lupus, rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis.

Under the agreement terms, Caisson could receive up to $167 million in milestone payments, depending on whether it achieves predetermined clinical, regulatory and commercial objectives, in addition to long-term residual royalties.

Thomas Harlan, Caisson’s chief executive, said: “Novo Nordisk has been an ideal partner and provides the infrastructure and expertise necessary to develop these much-needed therapeutic products.

“We look forward to our continued collaboration under this new license and to assisting Novo Nordisk in achieving its goal of developing these products and helping more patients.”

Novo Nordisk did not respond to a request for comment.