Novo Nordisk has struck a US$2.1bn deal with Vivtex to develop next-generation oral obesity and diabetes drugs, the companies said.
Under the partnership, privately held Vivtex will license some of its oral drug-delivery technology, while Novo Nordisk will lead global development and commercialisation.
Novo Nordisk will make an undisclosed upfront payment, alongside milestone payments and royalties on future product sales.
The deal aims to develop oral forms of biologic drugs that would otherwise be given as injections, by improving how they are absorbed in the gut.
Vivtex’s platform uses gut-screening tests, delivery technologies and AI tools to help make biologic drugs work as pills, the companies said.
Novo Nordisk currently offers GLP-1 drugs for obesity and type 2 diabetes, including Wegovy, Ozempic and the oral diabetes drug Rybelsus.
In January, the Danish drugmaker launched the Wegovy pill in the US, described as the world’s first oral drug for obesity.
