Pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk has revealed its intention to acquire Inversago Pharma, a Montreal-based company specializing in the development of potential treatments for obesity. The proposed acquisition comes with a $1.075 billion price tag, contingent on the fulfillment of specific research conditions.
The focal point of this acquisition is Inversago’s leading development asset, a drug known as INV-202, designed to target the CB1 receptor protein. This receptor plays a significant role in regulating metabolic functions and appetite, operating within the endocannabinoid system present in humans and many other animals.
Novo Nordisk has gained attention for the promising outcomes observed during clinical trials of its new obesity drug, Wegovy. The company has reported that Wegovy can reduce the risk of serious heart problems by a noteworthy 20%.
Speaking about the acquisition, Novo Nordisk’s Executive Vice President for Development, Martin Holst Lange, highlighted the potential impact on cardiovascular health: “People living with obesity have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease but, to date, there are no approved weight-management medications proven to deliver effective weight management while also reducing the risk of heart attack, stroke, or cardiovascular death.”
Lange further emphasized the strategic significance of the Inversago Pharma acquisition, stating that it will strengthen Novo Nordisk’s clinical development pipeline in the field of obesity and related disorders.
Inversago Pharma’s CEO, Francois Ravenelle, expressed enthusiasm for the potential collaboration with Novo Nordisk. Ravenelle stated, “We are delighted to join forces with a global leader in the obesity and metabolic disorder space.” He further added that the partnership could unlock the full medical potential of their CB1 blockers, potentially expanding treatment options for individuals dealing with metabolic syndrome, obesity, and related complications.
Ravenelle lauded Novo Nordisk’s extensive research capabilities, global reach, and collaborative culture as factors that align well with Inversago’s objectives in bringing therapeutic treatments to market.
It’s important to note that while Novo Nordisk has publicized promising results from their research, these findings have not yet undergone peer review. This underscores the need for continued evaluation and verification of the drug’s efficacy and safety.