Key Takeaways
- Novo Nordisk partners with IMMvention Therapeutix to co-develop oral treatments for sickle cell disease.
- The collaboration follows Novo’s significant investment in Forma Therapeutics, advancing therapies for the condition.
- IMMvention’s BACH1 inhibitors, which may induce fetal hemoglobin, are at the preclinical stage, and Novo will oversee further development.
New Development in Sickle Cell Disease Treatment
Novo Nordisk is intensifying its efforts against sickle cell disease by entering a partnership with IMMvention Therapeutix to co-develop oral treatments for the condition and other chronic diseases. The Danish pharmaceutical company previously made waves in the field in 2022 by acquiring Forma Therapeutics for $1.1 billion, aiming to enhance its capabilities in treating sickle cell disease.
Under the acquisition, Forma’s oral selective pyruvate kinase-R activator, etavopivat, is progressing through clinical trials, with a Phase 3 trial’s results expected in 2026. This progression could be timely, especially following Pfizer’s withdrawal of Oxbryta, which has revealed new opportunities for market entry.
Novo Nordisk has recognized IMMvention Therapeutix as a valuable partner, as the biotech has been advancing its preclinical work on BACH1 inhibitors. These small-molecule treatments are believed to induce the expression of fetal hemoglobin, potentially offering new therapeutic avenues for patients with sickle cell disease. Previous attempts by other pharma companies, such as Astellas’ acquisition of Mitobridge for $225 million—which also ventured into BACH1 inhibition—face hurdles, such as Astellas prematurely ending a Phase 1 trial due to unmet enrollment goals.
Despite earlier setbacks in the industry regarding BACH1 inhibitors, IMMvention is confident in its candidates, which it claims possess superior drug-like properties compared to existing options. However, details on the clinical timelines for these developments remain vague. Notably, IMMvention aims to advance its candidates into Investigational New Drug (IND)-enabling studies and Phase 1 trials by 2026 and 2027, respectively.
As part of the partnership, Novo Nordisk will assume full responsibility for future studies and can take over development activities upon the nomination of a suitable development candidate. This move provides Novo with global licensing rights to IMMvention’s systemic BACH1 inhibitors. Meanwhile, IMMvention retains rights to brain-penetrant BACH1 inhibitors, potentially applicable in treating neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
This collaboration marks a significant step for Novo Nordisk as it seeks to broaden its therapeutic offerings in sickle cell disease and navigate the evolving landscape of treatments aimed at chronic conditions. By leveraging IMMvention’s innovative approaches, Novo is better positioned to advance its pipeline and ultimately improve outcomes for patients suffering from sickle cell disease.
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