Facing mounting pressure in the competition for next-generation obesity treatments, Novo Nordisk is turning to RNA-based science to strengthen its early pipeline. The company has entered a multiyear alliance with Replicate Bioscience that could be valued at up to $550 million. It will provide Novo access to the firm’s platform to keep a close eye on cardiometabolic illness targets.
Through the collaboration, Novo will provide research funding in exchange for exclusive worldwide rights to advance and commercialize any lead assets that emerge, according to an Aug. 28 announcement from Replicate.
The companies didn’t reveal specific targets, but they plan to explore therapies for obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other cardiometabolic diseases.
Replicate will collect an initial payment along with possible milestone fees, with the agreement carrying a potential total value of $550 million. The biotech is also eligible for royalties on thesales of any products that emerge from the alliance.
Replicate develops self-amplifying RNA (srRNA) therapies, which can be delivered in smaller amounts than conventional mRNA since the molecules are engineered to replicate themselves inside the body. Once in a cell, the RNA instructs the cellular machinery to produce the intended drug.
Replicate, based in San Diego, recently advanced its self-amplifying RNA rabies vaccine through a phase 1 trial. A COVID-19 shot using the same approach (Arcturus Therapeutics and CSL’s Kostaive) has already secured approvals in Europe and Japan.
The rabies shot remains Replicate’s only clinical-stage program, while its preclinical work spans an Epstein-Barr virus vaccine along with candidates for breast cancer, lung cancer, and autoimmune disorders.
Rachael Lester, chief business officer at Replicate, stated in the release that the company collaborates with leading industry partners to design srRNA tailored for specific purposes, enabling patients’ own cells to produce therapeutic proteins. She further noted that the collaboration with Novo Nordisk merges Replicate’s proprietary srRNA vector collection with Novo’s clinical and therapeutic expertise, opening the door to significant new possibilities.
Once the clear leader in the GLP-1 space, Novo has stumbled amid the rapid rise of Eli Lilly and mounting competition from drug compounders. Market challenges led to the departureof longtime CEO Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen earlier this year, with company veteran Maziar Mike Doustdar stepping in as his successor soon after Novo cut its 2025 sales forecast because of sluggish semaglutide growth.
Earlier this month, Novo also removed two obesity programs – a GLP-1/GIP co-agonist and a CB1 receptor inhibitor – from its development pipeline.
Karina Thorn, VP of nucleic acid research at Novo Nordisk, stated in the release that the company is committed to strengthening its leadership in cardiometabolic diseases. She explained that Novo aims to integrate its core expertise with carefully chosen modality platforms in order to elevate innovation and ultimately improve outcomes for individuals living with serious chronic conditions.
Since Doustdar assumed leadership, Novo has parted ways with its U.S. SVP of marketing and patient solutions, secured FDA approval for Wegovy to treat adult metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, and imposed a hiring freeze on roles deemed non-essential to the business.
