M&A

The teams will attempt to discover pharmaceuticals to treat obesity during a three-year research and development collaboration, which will provide Novo Nordisk with the opportunity to obtain particular assets from Embark Biotech’s previous research.

Brian Finan, vice president of Obesity Research at Novo Nordisk, commented: “Novo Nordisk has been engaged in obesity research for 25 years, and we continuously search for new ways to address this serious chronic disease. We are excited about the opportunity to advance Embark Biotech’s lead programme and look forward to co-creating novel treatments for cardiometabolic diseases with Embark Laboratories to complement our in-house R&D.”

All former staff at Embark Biotech will continue to fulfil their position in the company, which specialises in cardiometabolic disease (specifically on energy expenditure).

Zach Gerhart-Hines, the company’s chief technology officer, stated: “There is a clear strategic fit between the novel biology we have discovered and Novo Nordisk’s expertise and focus on developing new drugs in the cardiometabolic space. We are thrilled to pass on the baton for our lead metabolic programme to Novo Nordisk. This deal and Embark’s success are direct outcomes of the unique and innovative ecosystem in Denmark that has been cultivated by the Bio Innovation Institute and the University of Copenhagen, Denmark and through initiatives from the Novo Nordisk Foundation and the Innovation Fund Denmark.”