Novo Nordisk Expands Obesity Pipeline with $812M Deep Apple Deal, Shifts Focus Beyond Incretins

Novo Nordisk, a leader in the obesity treatment market, has inked a significant deal with San Francisco-based Deep Apple Therapeutics, signaling a strategic shift in its approach to weight-loss therapies. The partnership, valued at up to $812 million, aims to develop novel, non-incretin oral drugs for obesity, potentially opening new avenues in the treatment of metabolic disorders.

Deep Apple's Innovative Platform Takes Center Stage

At the heart of this collaboration is Deep Apple's proprietary drug discovery platform, which leverages cutting-edge technologies such as cryo-electron microscopy (cryoEM) and artificial intelligence. This platform allows for the visualization of target molecules in various conformations, revealing novel binding pockets that could lead to more effective therapies.

"A key differentiator here is that we rely exclusively on virtual screening for hit identification," explained Deep Apple CEO Spiros Liras. The company's approach combines structural biology insights with machine learning models to assess potential drug candidates, streamlining the discovery process to about three to four months.

Beyond Incretins: Exploring New Therapeutic Frontiers

The partnership marks a significant step in Novo Nordisk's efforts to diversify its obesity treatment portfolio beyond incretin-based therapies. Current weight-loss drugs, including Novo's Wegovy and Eli Lilly's Zepbound, primarily target incretin hormones such as GLP-1 and GIP. However, the search for more effective and safer alternatives has led researchers to explore non-incretin targets.

While specific details of the target remain undisclosed, Liras revealed that it is a "novel" target "unlike most other obesity targets, is not represented by any program in clinical development." The collaboration will focus on a non-incretin G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) target, with potential applications in cardiometabolic diseases, including obesity.

Strategic Move Following CagriSema Setback

This deal comes in the wake of Novo Nordisk's recent setback with CagriSema, a combination therapy of semaglutide and the amylin analog cagrilintide. Phase III data released in December 2024 showed a 22.7% reduction in body weight at 68 weeks, falling short of the company's 25% weight-loss target. The disappointing results led to a significant market reaction, with Novo Nordisk losing approximately $72 billion in market capitalization.

The Deep Apple partnership represents part of Novo Nordisk's strategy to regain its footing in the competitive obesity treatment landscape. By exploring targets beyond the incretin family, the company aims to develop therapies that could potentially offer improved efficacy and safety profiles.