Scandinavia: Three way collaboration to develop diabetes treatement

Development and licensing agreement

Danish diabetes treatment provider Novo Nordisk, based in Bagsværd, has signed a collaborative research agreement with Swedish stem cell research specialised institutions Cellartis in Gothenburg and Lund University. This initiative will exploit the use of embryonic stem cells to develop a treatment for insulin-dependent diabetes and ultimately a cure.

Cellartis, Professor Henrik Semb of Lund University and Novo Nordisk’s research centre, the Hagedorn Research Institute, have been working together to understand how stem cell culture can be used to mimic formation of insulin-producing cells that occurs throughout embryonic  development. The new collaboration will investigate the potential for stem cells to be programmed to become insulin-producing beta cells, so developing a stem cell-based treatment for insulin-dependent diabetes.

Under the terms of the agreement Novo Nordisk will acquire the exclusive rights to further develop and commercialise potential diabetes treatment products, and provide Cellartis and Professor Henrik Semb with financial funding.

Cellartis will receive a technology access fee and milestones of more than € 100 million for development and sales and royalties on worldwide sales of any diabetes care products developed during the collaboration. It will acquire the exclusive rights to further develop and commercialise other products resulting from the technologies developed under the collaboration.

Peter Kurtzhals, of Novo Nordisk, said: “Finding a cure for diabetes is part of Novo Nordisk’s vision. Today’s agreement is an important first step in achieving our goal of developing a cure for type 1 diabetes. The collaboration brings together a highly talented team in stem cell research, which provides an excellent building block to develop potential treatments.”

Cellartis co-founder Professor Henrik Semb, of Lund Universtiy, said: “This very important collaboration will strengthen the stem cell research in diabetes at the Lund University Stem Cell Center. I can think of no stronger partner in the area of diabetes than Novo Nordisk.”

Mats Lundwall, of Cellartis, said: “We are delighted that Novo Nordisk has chosen to collaborate with Cellartis in the area of stem cell therapy. It clearly demonstrates that our human embryonic stem cell platform has the potential to achieve clinical breakthroughs in the future. We are particularly proud that the collaboration will enable us to participate in the differentiation of our stem cells towards beta cells using Cellartis’ sophisticated technologies. The collaboration will be a positive influence on our operations at both the Scottish/UK and the Swedish sites.”