Biosplice Partners with Novo Nordisk on Diabetes

Biosplice Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company, has announced a significant collaboration with Novo Nordisk to develop innovative therapies for diabetes. Biosplice is known for its pioneering work in small-molecule inhibition of DYRK/CLK kinases, a method that has shown promise in stimulating β-cell proliferation in both animal models and human islet cells. This collaboration aims to leverage the expertise of both companies to create first-in-class treatments for diabetes.

Under this agreement, Novo Nordisk will provide funding for further preclinical development and has secured an exclusive option to license Biosplice’s intellectual property related to cardiometabolic disorders. While specific financial terms were not disclosed, the agreement includes upfront and milestone payments, along with royalties for the exclusive license.

Erich Horsley, CFO and CBO of Biosplice, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, highlighting Biosplice's decade-long expertise in DYRK and CLK kinase inhibition. He emphasized the potential benefits for the global diabetes population, which numbers over 500 million. The collaboration is expected to unlock significant possibilities for developing therapies that can restore the health of human β-cells, which are essential for insulin production.

Biosplice’s selective DYRK inhibitors have shown promising results in preclinical studies, demonstrating both high potency and safety margins. Scientific literature supports the role of DYRK kinases in maintaining the proliferative capacity of β-cells, which are crucial for insulin production. Diabetes is characterized by insufficient insulin production due to β-cell deficiency or dysfunction, and this new approach could address the root cause of the disease, offering a potential improvement over current therapies.

Biosplice plans to present some of its preclinical findings at the upcoming American Diabetes Association’s conference in Orlando, Florida, on June 23. The presentation will include data from both in vivo and in vitro models, providing further insights into the potential of DYRK inhibition for diabetes treatment.

In addition to its diabetes program, Biosplice is also exploring the role of DYRK kinases in neurological conditions. DYRK kinases are implicated in the aggregation of tau protein, which is associated with serious neurological disorders. Biosplice has initiated a collaboration with The Roskamp Institute to develop treatments for traumatic brain injury and other tauopathies, including Alzheimer’s disease, frontal temporal dementia, and multiple sclerosis.

Biosplice’s diabetes program focuses on developing highly selective and potent DYRK inhibitors to stimulate β-cell proliferation. This approach could significantly enhance pancreatic islet function and improve glucose regulation in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The results from animal models and human islet cells have been encouraging, suggesting that this strategy could offer new hope for effective diabetes therapies.

Biosplice is at the forefront of research into Cdc2-like kinases (CLKs) and dual-specificity tyrosine-regulated kinases (DYRKs). These kinases are critical for cell cycle regulation, splicing, and neurodevelopment, making them important targets for treating diseases such as osteoarthritis, cancer, neurological disorders, and diabetes. Biosplice utilizes cutting-edge technologies to develop highly selective kinase inhibitors. The company’s clinical development pipeline includes drugs like lorecivivint for osteoarthritis and cirtuvivint for various cancers, along with a broad preclinical pipeline addressing Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, and other degenerative conditions.