Novo Nordisk is bulking up its weight problems drug pipeline with the acquisition of Inversago Pharma, a biotech two months faraway from reporting early scientific information exhibiting its lead metabolic illness drug candidate led to vital weight reduction. The deal can be a wager that Inversago’s method can succeed the place Sanofi failed.
Denmark-based Novo Nordisk mentioned Thursday that it’s buying privately held Inversago in a money transaction. Particular monetary phrases weren’t disclosed, however the pharmaceutical big mentioned Inversago, primarily based in Montreal, might obtain as much as $1.075 billion if growth and commercialization milestones are met.
Inversago intends to deal with metabolic and fibrotic ailments with medication that focus on and block cannabinoid receptor kind 1, or CB1. This receptor discovered all through the central nervous system regulates varied physiological processes. Some analysis has centered on drugging it to deal with temper and nervousness problems. This receptor additionally been focused as a manner of suppressing urge for food.
CB1 has been focused efficiently, however by a drug that was unsuccessful commercially. In 2006, the European Medicines Company accredited rimonabant, model identify Acomplia, a Sanofi-Aventis drug developed to deal with weight problems alongside eating regimen and train. The corporate withdrew the product in 2008 after considerations in regards to the psychiatric security of the drug led to a regulatory evaluate concluding that the product’s advantages now not outweigh its dangers.
Rimonabant by no means reached the U.S. market. In 2007, an FDA advisory committee voted towards recommending approval, main Sanofi-Aventis to withdraw its new drug software.
Novo Nordisk describes Inversago’s medication as “next-generation CB1 receptor blocker therapies.” Inversago says lead drug candidate INV-202, a once-daily tablet, is designed to particularly goal CB1 receptors in peripheral tissues, akin to these within the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, liver, and pancreas. By focusing on peripheral CB1 receptors, the corporate says it goals to keep away from the unintended effects of earlier CB1-targeting efforts that additionally hit receptors within the mind.
In June, Inversago introduced Part 1b information for its lead drug through the annual assembly of the American Diabetes Affiliation. Outcomes from the 37-patient research confirmed clinically vital weight reduction after 28 days, together with optimistic traits in measures of lipids and glucose within the blood. Unwanted side effects have been principally gastrointestinal however the drug was nicely tolerated by research individuals and no critical opposed results have been reported.
Inversago has proceeded to a Part 2 take a look at in diabetic kidney illness. Novo Nordisk mentioned it intends to research the potential of INV-202 for weight problems and obesity-related issues. The pharma big additionally beneficial properties Inversago’s preclinical applications for unspecified metabolic and fibrotic problems.
The CB1-targeting method of Inversago’s medication diversifies Novo Nordisk past its injectable metabolic dysfunction medication, Ozempic for kind 2 diabetes and Wegovy for weight problems. Each are peptide medication that comprise the energetic pharmaceutical ingredient semaglutide, which prompts the GLP-1 receptor to supply extra of the glucose-regulating hormone insulin. This mechanism of motion additionally results in weight reduction. Earlier this week, Novo Nordisk reported preliminary information from a five-year research exhibiting that remedy with Wegovy led to a 20% discount in cardiovascular issues.
Inversago revealed its science in 2018, when it introduced a $7 million Sequence A financing to develop CB1-targeting medication for Prader-Willi syndrome and sort 1 diabetes. The corporate’s expertise is predicated on the analysis of George Kunos, a Nationwide Institutes of Well being scientists with experience in CB1. Kunos’s preclinical analysis discovered that limiting the results of CB1-blocking to peripheral receptors confirmed potential for treating metabolic problems with out additionally inflicting opposed CNS results. In 2020, Forbion led a $35 million Sequence B funding spherical for the biotech. Final October, Inversago raised a $70 million Sequence C spherical led by New Enterprise Associates. In a ready assertion, Martin Holst Lange, Novo Nordisk’s government vice chairman for growth, mentioned Inversago’s medication strengthen his firm’s pipeline.
“This promising class of drugs pioneered by the Inversago workforce might result in life-changing new remedy choices for these residing with a critical persistent illness and, particularly, could supply various or complementary options for individuals residing with weight problems,” he mentioned.
Picture: Jean-Francois Monier/AFP, by way of Getty Photos
