Novo bags new diabetes technology by acquiring Bristol univ spinout — Ziylo

By PharmaCompass

2018-09-13

Impressions: 337 Article

Novo Nordisk acquired full rights to Ziylo’s early-stage glucose binding molecules in a staged acquisition with a potential deal value that could exceed US$ 800 million. The acquisition will give Novo Nordisk full rights to Ziylo’s glucose binding molecule platform to develop glucose responsive insulin molecules.

Ziylo is a University of Bristol spin-out company based out of the Unit DX science incubator in Bristol, UK. Ziylo has been pioneering the use of its platform technology — synthetic glucose binding molecules — for therapeutic and diagnostic applications.

Click here to view the major deals in August 2018 (FREE Excel version available)

Ziylo’s glucose binding molecules are synthetic molecules that exhibit an unprecedented selectivity to glucose in complex environments such as blood.

The development of glucose responsive insulin molecules is a key strategic area for Novo Nordisk, as it wants to develop this safer and more effective (next generation of insulin) therapy.

A glucose responsive insulin would help eliminate the risk of hypoglycaemia (deficiency of glucose in the blood stream), which is the main risk associated with insulin therapy and one of the main barriers to achieving optimal glucose control. Such an insulin molecule could also lead to better metabolic control.

Just before selling itself to Novo, Ziylo spun out a new company dubbed Carbometrics to develop the diagnostics and glucose monitoring applications of its technology. Carbometrics is now the new home for all Ziylo researchers. Through a research collaboration with Novo Nordisk, Carbometrics will assist with ongoing optimization of glucose binding molecules for use in glucose responsive insulin molecules.

Click here to view the major deals in August 2018 (FREE Excel version available)

Novo Nordisk has a strong presence in the diabetes care market with a global value market share of 27 percent. In the total insulin market, Novo’s global value market share is 46 percent; and in the modern and new-generation insulin market, it is 45 percent.

The European discovery outfit at Evotec also announced a tie up with Novo Nordisk to build early-stage pipeline drugs for diabetes, obesity drugs, and also diseases like NASH (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease), cardiovascular diseases and diabetic kidney disease. The scientists at Evotec will build a preclinical pipeline of small molecules primarily concentrating on diabetes and obesity.

While the financial details of the alliance are not known, it is clear that Evotec is adding a major partnership on top of a string of deals with companies like Celgene, Bayer and Sanofi, as well as a number of smaller biotech firms.

Click here to view the major deals in August 2018 (FREE Excel version available)

The PharmaCompass Newsletter – Sign Up, Stay Ahead

Feedback, help us to improve. Click here

Image Credit : Top Pharma & Biotech Deals - Aug 2018 by PharmaCompass is licensed under CC BY 2.0

“ The article is based on the information available in public and which the author believes to be true. The author is not disseminating any information, which the author believes or knows, is confidential or in conflict with the privacy of any person. The views expressed or information supplied through this article is mere opinion and observation of the author. The author does not intend to defame, insult or, cause loss or damage to anyone, in any manner, through this article.”

NEWS

DRUGS & DEVELOPMENTS

MARKET INTEL by PharmaCompass