A roundup of bio/pharmaceutical partnering news from Novo Nordisk/Septerna, AbbVie/ADARx Pharmaceuticals, and Eli Lilly and Company/Purdue University. 

* Novo Nordisk, Septerna in $2.2-Bn Small-Molecule Cardiometabolic Drug Pact
* AbbVie, ADARx Pharmaceuticals in $335-M siRNA Drug Pact 
* Lilly, Purdue University Expand R&D, Mfg Pact with Additional $250 M from Lilly 

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Novo Nordisk, Septerna in $2.2 Bn Small-Molecule Cardiometabolic Drug Pact 
Novo Nordisk and Septerna, a San Francisco, California-based bio/pharmaceutical company focused on G protein-coupled receptors (GCPRs), have entered an exclusive global collaboration and license agreement to discover, develop, and commercialize oral small-molecule medicines for treating obesity, Type 2 diabetes and other cardiometabolic diseases, in a deal worth up to $2.2 billion ($200 million upfront and near-term funding and $2 billion in milestone payments). 

The companies will initially commence four development programs for potential small-molecule therapies directed to one or more select GPCR targets, including glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP), and glucagon receptors. The companies will jointly conduct research activities from discovery through development candidate selection. Starting at investigational new drug-enabling activities, Novo Nordisk will have sole responsibility for all global development and commercialization activities. In addition, Septerna has the right to opt in to a worldwide profit share for one program in the collaboration in lieu of future milestones and royalties for that product candidate. 

Under the agreement, Septerna is eligible to receive approximately $2.2 billion from Novo Nordisk across an upfront payment and research, development and commercial milestone payments. This includes more than $200 million in upfront and near-term milestone payments. Septerna is also eligible to receive tiered royalties on global net sales of marketed products. Novo Nordisk will cover all research and development expenses for partnered programs under the collaboration. 

The agreement is subject to customary closing conditions, including the expiration or termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976. Closing is expected to occur in the second quarter of 2025. 

Source: Novo Nordisk 

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AbbVie, ADARx Pharmaceuticals in $335-M siRNA Drug Pact 
AbbVie and ADARx Pharmaceuticals, a San Diego, California-based clinical-stage bio/pharmaceutical company developing RNA therapeutics, have entered an agreement to develop small interfering RNA (siRNA) therapeutics across multiple disease areas, including neuroscience, immunology, and oncology, in a deal worth at least $335 million ($335 million upfront and an undisclosed amount in milestone payments). 

siRNA represents a class of molecules capable of regulating gene-expression and protein production. Unlike traditional modalities, such as antibodies and small molecules, siRNA regulates the expression of genes. These molecules are designed to prevent the production of disease-causing proteins by targeting the messenger RNA (mRNA) that encodes for such proteins. 

The collaboration will use ADARx’s siRNA technology, and AbbVie will contribute its expertise in antibody engineering, antibody drug conjugates, and tissue-delivery approaches as appropriate, to augment ADARx’s discovery efforts. 

Under the agreement, ADARx will receive a $335 million upfront payment and will be eligible to receive several billion dollars in additional contingent payments, including option-related fees and milestone payments, as well as tiered royalties. 

Source: AbbVie 

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Lilly, Purdue University Expand R&D, Mfg Pact with Additional $250 M from Lilly 
Eli Lilly and Company and Purdue University have expanded their collaboration in drug discovery and development, manufacturing scale-up, and workforce development, with Lilly planning to contribute an additional investment of up to $250 million over the next eight years.  

The earlier agreement, which had been set to expire in 2027, will now extend with four new projects added through 2032. Additionally, it will engage existing joint programs, such as Lilly Scholars at Purdue and the Lilly and Purdue Research Alliance Center. Purdue will make space available for Lilly researchers onsite in West Lafayette, Indiana. Purdue researchers will collaborate in Lilly facilities in Indianapolis and in Indiana’s LEAP Research and Innovation District. 

To achieve the initiative’s goals, Lilly and Purdue will concentrate on several key areas: 

• Applying AI-powered tools to traditional drug discovery methods while using advancements in machine learning and data analytics to explore disease mechanisms and personalized treatments. 

• Facilitating approaches to accelerate potential treatments from Phase I clinical studies to regulatory approval and technology transfer into manufacturing. 

• Incorporating robotics, AI, and data sciences to scale manufacturing capacity more effectively, with improved compliance and greater sustainability. 

• Enhancing workforce development to ensure a talent pipeline to meet the demands of Lilly and other Indiana employers. 

Source: Eli Lilly and Company