Novo Bets On ‘Chequered’ CB1r Approach In Diabetic Kidney Disease With Inversago Buy

For Up To $1.08bn

The Danish firm’s Q2 sales fell short of expectations due to poor rare disease and diabetes performance, but a potentially billion-dollar buy of Inversago stole attention as observers highlighted the historical risks of targeting the cannabinoid-1 receptor.  

paper cutout of kidneys with sugar cubes on them
Diabetes Is The Leading Cause Of Kidney Disease • Source: Shutterstock

Novo Nordisk A/S has plunged into the traditionally challenging cannabinoid-1 (CB1) receptor-targeting space in metabolic diseases with an acquisition of Canadian biotech Inversago Pharma Inc. for up to $1.08bn, the firm revealed during its half-year earnings.

Read the full article – start your free trial today!

Join thousands of industry professionals who rely on Scrip for daily insights

  • Start your 7-day free trial
  • Explore trusted news, analysis, and insights
  • Access comprehensive global coverage
  • Enjoy instant access – no credit card required

More from Earnings

Stock Watch: Dollar Weakness, Tariffs, Biosimilars In J&J’s Q1 Mix

 
• By 

Announcing increased full-year earnings guidance and another dividend increase, Johnson & Johnson’s stock price weakened, outweighed by concerns about the replacement of Stelara revenues and possible drug import tariffs.

Top-Selling Drugs 2024: Keytruda, Ozempic And Dupixent Dominate

 

Merck’s immuno-oncology blockbuster was the world’s best-selling drugs by revenues for the second year in a row, with an almost $12bn lead over its closest rival, Novo Nordisk’s GLP-1 drug Ozempic.

AstraZeneca Logs Japan Growth Despite Price Cuts

 
• By 

AstraZeneca logs growth in Japan despite a big reimbursement price cut for one of its top sellers and expects 40 approvals in the country over the next six years.

Taxes, Not Tariffs, Influence US Manufacturing, J&J CEO Says

 

The big pharma forecast a $400m expense this year related to tariffs, but those estimates only reflect medtech tariffs already announced, not potential pharma tariffs.

More from Business

Roche US Exports To Exceed Imports After New $50bn Investment

 

A brand new R&D center in Massachusetts and a giant manufacturing site for its future obesity drugs are among the key investments in the US.

Korea State R&D Fund Seeks Continuity To Enable Seamless Support

 
• By 

The CEO of a South Korean state-run drug R&D support fund urges the renewal of the initiative as it increasingly focuses on new modalities and novel targets.

Roivant Tightens Leadership Grip On Immunovant, Narrows Near-Term IMVT-1402 Focus

 
• By 

Roivant president Eric Venker was named CEO of Immunovant to guarantee execution of the development plan for IMVT-1402 in six indications, now including Sjögren’s disease and cutaneous lupus erythematosus.