Novo Nordisk Bets Big on Gensaic's Tissue-Selective Delivery Technology

Novo Nordisk, the Danish pharmaceutical giant, has entered into a groundbreaking partnership with Gensaic, a biotechnology company specializing in precision medicine. The collaboration, which could be worth up to $354 million per target, aims to leverage Gensaic's innovative tissue-selective delivery technology for cardiometabolic targets.

A New Frontier in Targeted Drug Delivery

Gensaic's proprietary platform, known as Forge, utilizes unbiased protein evolution combined with machine-guided design to map protein interactions that determine where molecules travel within the body. This technology holds the promise of advancing precision medicine by enabling the delivery of therapeutic molecules to specific tissues, including those outside the liver.

Uli Stilz, Head of Novo's Bio Innovation Hub, emphasized the potential of this approach: "Tissue targeting has so much potential—both in terms of the modalities that can be leveraged, but also for the diseases that can be addressed. Gensaic's technology brings a novel approach, with the ability to screen tissue targeting ligands in an unbiased way. We have the potential to reach challenging targets, while increasing efficacy and reducing potential side effects."

Deal Structure and Future Prospects

Under the terms of the agreement, Novo Nordisk will pay Gensaic up to $354 million per target, encompassing upfront fees, development and commercial milestones, and tiered royalties. Additionally, Novo has committed to reimburse R&D costs and participate in a Gensaic financing round.

In return, Gensaic will focus on discovering new protein ligands, with Novo retaining the rights to use these ligands for further development. The collaboration has the potential to spawn multiple development and commercialization programs, aligning with Gensaic's goal of enabling the selective delivery of any therapeutic payload to any tissue of interest.

Expanding Horizons in Intracellular Therapies

This partnership marks another significant step in Novo Nordisk's growing interest in intracellular targets. In 2021, the company acquired its RNAi partner Dicerna Pharmaceuticals, signaling its commitment to expanding beyond its traditional focus on protein therapies.

Marcus Schindler, chief scientific officer at Novo, previously highlighted the company's need for intracellular technologies, stating, "We do not want to be limited too much when we see novel targets, when we see exciting biology."

The Gensaic deal provides Novo with a new tool for tissue-selective delivery, complementing its existing capabilities and potentially opening up new avenues for treating a wide range of diseases. As the pharmaceutical industry continues to evolve, partnerships like this one between Novo Nordisk and Gensaic are likely to play a crucial role in shaping the future of precision medicine and targeted therapies.