Novo's $600M Deal with Metaphore for Next-Gen Obesity Drugs

Novo Nordisk has entered into a research collaboration with Metaphore Biotechnologies to develop next-generation GLP-1 receptor agonists aimed at treating obesity. The Danish pharmaceutical giant will provide up to $600 million in upfront, development, and commercial milestone payments, in addition to reimbursing R&D costs. Metaphore will also receive tiered royalties on the annual sales of any approved products that emerge from this collaboration. Novo Nordisk has committed to participating in a future financing round organized by Metaphore.

The collaboration will grant Novo Nordisk access to Metaphore’s proprietary MIMIC platform. This technology mimics interactions between molecules, facilitating the development of multitarget investigational therapeutics that can activate the GLP-1 receptor and influence related pathways. These new therapeutic candidates are designed to have scalable and long-lasting effects.

The MIMIC platform aids in developing these next-generation GLP-1 candidates by creating high-resolution maps of the “pharmacophore,” or the essential features of a molecule that trigger specific biological responses. These pharmacophores serve as the foundation for new therapeutic compounds, which can then be fine-tuned for better specificity, selectivity, multiple affinities, and extended half-lives. 

Uli Stilz, head of the Novo Nordisk Bio Innovation Hub, highlighted the impressive accuracy of Metaphore’s MIMIC technology in capturing the natural interactions between molecules at their interface. This capability could lead to the development of therapeutics that require less frequent dosing. Stilz also noted that this collaboration would enable Novo Nordisk to integrate machine learning approaches into obesity management.

Leveraging artificial intelligence could help Novo Nordisk maintain its leading position in the lucrative obesity market. This is particularly relevant as its primary competitor, Eli Lilly, is making significant advances. In March 2024, Reuters reported that Lilly's weight-loss drug Zepbound, another GLP-1 agonist that also targets the GIP receptor, had surpassed Novo Nordisk's Wegovy in new U.S. prescriptions. 

In addition to the growing market share of Wegovy, Eli Lilly is also advancing in oral GLP-1 treatments. Lilly’s small molecule drug candidate orforglipron is currently in Phase III trials. Mid-stage data released in June 2023 indicated that orforglipron has strong potential, reducing body weight by 9.4% to 14.7% at 36 weeks compared to a 2.3% reduction with placebo. In its full-year 2023 business report, Eli Lilly announced that it was already scaling up manufacturing capacity for this oral candidate.

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