Novo Nordisk Expands AI Partnership with Valo Health for Obesity Drug Development
Novo Nordisk, the Danish pharmaceutical giant, has announced an expansion of its partnership with U.S.-based tech firm Valo Health to develop new treatments for cardiometabolic diseases, including obesity, using human data and artificial intelligence (AI).
The expanded collaboration follows a recent setback for Novo, as its weight-loss drug candidate CagriSema underperformed in trials, falling short of expectations. This comes as Novo seeks to develop a more potent weight-loss treatment to rival Eli Lilly’s Zepbound, a competitor in the obesity drug market. Both companies are also exploring the broader health benefits of their obesity treatments, as they look to expand their utility beyond weight loss. Analysts predict the obesity drug market could be worth $150 billion within the next decade.
Originally announced in September 2023, the partnership between Novo and Valo aimed to develop up to 11 drugs. With the new agreement, the scope has broadened, with plans to discover and develop up to 20 new treatments for obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.
Under the terms of the expanded deal, Valo Health stands to receive up to $190 million in near-term payments, along with potential milestone payments totaling about $4.6 billion. The original agreement entitled Valo to up to $2.7 billion in milestone payments.