HQ Team
September 25, 2023: Novo Nordisk and Valo Health, Inc., have signed a $2.7 billion pact to discover and develop novel treatments for cardiometabolic diseases.
The treatments will be based on Valo’s human dataset and computation, powered by artificial intelligence, according to a statement.
The Boston, US-based Valo will receive an upfront payment and a potential near-term milestone payment, totalling $60 million.
Valo is also eligible to receive milestone payments for up to 11 programmes, totalling up to $2.7 billion in research and funding, and potential royalty payments.
Patient data
The collaboration will leverage the capabilities of Valo’s Opal Computational Platform, including access to real-world patient data.
Valo’s AI-enabled small molecule discovery and Biowire human tissue modelling platform will help in the design, to speed up the process.
“Valo’s preclinical capabilities enable identification and validation of novel druggable targets, as well as development of drug candidates against these targets, and can help predict compound safety and efficacy,” according to the joint statement.
Danish multinational Novo Nordisk will license three preclinical drug discovery programmes in cardiovascular diseases discovered and developed by Valo using the Opal Computational Platform.
Potential therapeutics
The partnership between Novo Nordisk and Valo will leverage key joint capabilities in human data and genetics with a stronghold in cardiometabolic diseases.
Marcus Schindler, chief scientific officer of Novo Nordisk said Valo’s technologies could be applied to real-world human data.
It will “help to generate new insights and translate them into potential therapeutics for the benefit of patients suffering from cardiometabolic conditions.”
Valo CEO and founder David Berry said his company’s platforms span from disease characterization through clinical development.
The company “aim to deliver new therapeutics to benefit patients living with some of the most prevalent chronic diseases of our time.”
Cardiometabolic diseases are a group of common but often preventable conditions including heart attack, stroke, diabetes, insulin resistance and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
