▎WuXi AppTec Content Team Report
May 21,Novo NordiskHeld its annual media briefing. According to Novo Nordisk's introduction at the meeting, the company’s corporate strategy is rooted in the mission of “driving change, defeating diabetes and other serious chronic diseases together.” It will continue to strengthen its pipeline in the fields of diabetes and obesity treatment, consolidate its capabilities in the field of rare disease treatment, and expand into cardiovascular diseases and other serious chronic diseases. Meanwhile,Novo Nordisk also introduced the company'sDiabetes, ObesitySymptom,Cardiovascular DiseaseThe latest pipeline in the disease field, andProgress of Novo Nordisk China Pipeline.
▲ Novo Nordisk Global President and CEO, Zhou FudeMr. Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen (Image Source：Provided by Novo NordiskMr. Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen, President and CEO of Novo Nordisk, stated at the conference that dispelling the shadow cast by these severe chronic diseases on humanity requires sustainable and powerful breakthrough innovations. In response to this challenge, Novo Nordisk's core contribution is to provide innovative treatment solutions for the industry. In 2023, more than 42 million patients worldwide benefited from the company’s innovative products, and we also feel a profound sense of responsibility. To achieve disease treatment, prevention, and ultimately cures, we will continue to drive scientific innovation, build a diversified product pipeline, and maintain ongoing investment in R&D within our core therapeutic areas.Building on more than a century of innovation, Novo Nordisk aims to explore the next generation of revolutionary insulin therapies for people with diabetes.The company is developing glucose-sensitive insulin. This is a smart, blood-glucose-responsive molecule that can maintain stable control of blood sugar within the normal range and reduce or eliminate the occurrence of hypoglycemic events.Novo Nordisk has completed the proof-of-concept for the first glucose-sensitive insulin, "Insulin 845 (Phase 1 trial)," which demonstrated good safety and tolerability.At the same time,Novo Nordisk is also developing cell therapies in the hope of bringing new treatments that can cure type 1 diabetes.The research project shows that the new β cells transplanted into diabetic mice have the potential to restore blood glucose homeostasis to human-set values and extend the duration of homeostasis. In addition, the company is also continuously working on improving the thermal stability of insulin products.Novo Nordisk has been conducting research in the field of obesity treatment for over 25 years. Based on GLP-1RA therapy, the company has built a robust scientific foundation and is focused on raising innovation standards to meet diverse medical needs. During this event,Dr. Marcus Schindler, Executive Vice President of Research and Early Development at Novo Nordisk, introduced the company's five research and development directions in the field of obesity treatment, including：• Explore superior efficacy through combined mechanisms of action (e.g., GLP-1/amylin);• Reduce the frequency of administration;• Focus on body composition, maintain muscle mass;• Addressing obesity as a chronic disease to support long-term weight management;• The treatment regimen is both safe and tolerable.In the drug research and early development phase, Novo Nordisk explores new biological mechanisms for treating obesity, some of which are achieved through the synergistic integration of GLP-1, such as combining the physiological mechanisms of GLP-1 and amylin, leading the innovation of next-generation therapies for obesity and diabetes. Both amylin and GLP-1 are peptide hormones. Among them, amylin is a hormone secreted by pancreatic β-cells, showing potential as a complement to GLP-1 or providing additional benefits in the field of obesity and other cardiometabolic diseases. Both amylin and GLP-1 influence appetite regulation and blood glucose control. Additionally, amylin can affect bone homeostasis and body composition. According to Phase 1 trial data, patients with an average weight of 89 kilograms who received the candidate drug Amycretin experienced a weight loss of 13.1% after 12 weeks of treatment, demonstrating safety and good tolerability.SELECT Trial Main Results Show Semaglutide 2.4mg Injection Reduces Risk of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events by 20% in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. The extensive data accumulated from this trial creates opportunities for future scientific research: over 17,600 participants, with a trial duration of up to 5 years.Novo Nordisk stated that it will fully utilize AI-driven data mining and analysis technologies to better understand obesity, patient treatment outcomes, and disease progression trajectories, thereby developing more targeted personalized therapies and further exploring disease prevention strategies.。
Cardiovascular Disease FieldIn the field of cardiovascular disease, Novo Nordisk focuses on two key priorities:1. Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD), including dyslipidemia, systemic inflammation, uncontrolled hypertension, and refractory hypertension;Second, heart failure, including heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM).Disease-Modifying Therapies Represent the Next Frontier in Cardiovascular Disease. Recently, Novo Nordisk completed the acquisition of Cardior, a German biotechnology company. Cardior focuses on developing RNA-targeted therapies to prevent, repair, and reverse heart diseases.Novo Nordisk, based on a specific non-coding RNA target platform, aims to address the root pathological factors of cardiac dysfunction, thereby achieving lasting benefits for patients.This agreement includes Cardior's lead compound CDR132L, which is currently in Phase 2 clinical development for heart failure. Additionally, the LAPiS study conducted by Novo Nordisk’s partner Heartseed is proceeding smoothly. The first heart failure patient treated with a cell therapy derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) showed improved cardiac function 26 weeks after transplantation.Continuous Progress of Novo Nordisk's New Drugs in China2024 marks the 30th anniversary of Novo Nordisk China. In recent years, Novo Nordisk has promoted the simultaneous approval of innovative drugs in China and globally through the "China New" project. In 2023, this project achieved a milestone:In China, the marketing application for the once-weekly injectable basal insulin icodec has been submitted. This marks the first time that Novo Nordisk has simultaneously completed clinical trials and submitted a new drug marketing application in China, the EU, and the US.。At the same time,Novo Nordisk ChinaInnovative results across multiple disease areas are expected: The application for market approval of Wegovy® (the international brand name for semaglutide 2.4 mg injection) for long-term weight management has been submitted in China and accepted by the CDE. Additionally, the new drug application for turoctocog alfa pegol, a long-acting recombinant factor VIII, has been filed in China, with the potential to soon benefit Chinese patients with hemophilia A.Novo Nordisk China is preparing or conducting multiple clinical trials in new therapeutic areas such as obesity, hemophilia, growth disorders, and other severe chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), and Alzheimer's disease.Mr. Zhang Kezhou, Vice President of Medical Quality Department, Novo Nordisk Greater China, said: "In terms of clinical trials, Novo Nordisk China has fully entered all disease areas of Novo Nordisk.The solid progress of the innovative pipeline further ensures that we can accelerate the launch of multiple innovative drugs in China by 2025, fully realizing synchronized R&D of new drugs and delivering innovative medicines to patients at the fastest speed.。”
▲ Ms. Xiaoping Zhou, Senior Vice President of Novo Nordisk Global and President of Greater China Region（Image Source:Provided by Novo Nordisk）Ms. Zhou Xiaping, Global Senior Vice President of Novo Nordisk and President of Greater China, stated that looking back over the past three decades, every step Novo Nordisk has taken in China has been aimed at enabling patients to take their next hopeful steps in life. Looking ahead, we will continue to accelerate innovation, expand collaborations, benefit more patients, and promote sustainable development.
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