#USA #South San Francisco #Novo Nordisk #Therapeutics #Deep Apple

Deep Apple Therapeutics Partners with Novo Nordisk

In a significant advancement for the pharmaceutical landscape, Deep Apple Therapeutics, Inc. has announced a strategic research collaboration and exclusive worldwide licensing agreement with Novo Nordisk. This partnership is focused on the discovery and development of innovative oral therapeutics aimed at combating cardiometabolic diseases, including obesity.

Overview of the Collaboration

The collaboration aims to leverage innovative approaches in drug discovery. Deep Apple Therapeutics will utilize its proprietary drug discovery platform to identify and optimize small-molecule compounds targeting a novel non-incretin GPCR (G-Protein Coupled Receptor). This unique focus sets the stage for developing top-tier therapeutics to address unmet medical needs in the cardiometabolic disease landscape.

Under the terms of the agreement, Deep Apple is set to receive up to $812 million, encompassing an upfront payment, research costs, and milestone payments contingent upon development successes. This financial backing is pivotal for ensuring the thorough exploration of new therapeutic pathways.

The Drug Discovery Platform

Deep Apple’s drug discovery platform is distinguished by its integration of cutting-edge technologies, including machine learning for virtual screening and structural biology facilitated by cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). This advanced combination significantly enhances the speed, quality, and novelty of lead compound generation and optimization. As Dr. Spiros Liras, CEO of Deep Apple, emphasizes, this program reflects the capabilities of their platform to pinpoint promising and novel drug candidates within months—a game-changer in the pharmaceutical research domain.

Novo Nordisk's Role

The agreement grants Novo Nordisk exclusive global rights for the development, manufacturing, and marketing of the resulting compounds and products across all indications. The collaboration will see both companies working on the research plan, with the transition of the project to Novo Nordisk occurring just before the initiation of IND-enabling studies.

Jacob Sten Petersen, Senior Vice President at Novo Nordisk, expressed enthusiasm about advancing this novel target. He emphasized the importance of diversifying potential oral medications for cardiometabolic diseases, recognizing the varying needs and preferences of patients affected by these conditions. This partnership not only showcases the fusion of innovative technologies but underscores a collective commitment to improving patient outcomes.

Future Implications

The identified target molecule represents a non-incretin GPCR, perfectly suited for Deep Apple’s platform that captures the dynamics and movements of GPCRs and other proteins across different conformations. By unveiling novel pockets, Deep Apple can link these to their proprietary virtual libraries, potentially leading to breakthroughs in pharmacological therapies.

Deep Apple is paving the way with its restructuring of small molecule discovery processes, building a substantial pipeline of GPCR target programs. Among these are a MRGPRX2 antagonist currently in IND application stages, and a GIPR antagonist nearing IND applications. The partnership with Novo Nordisk marks a pivotal moment not just for Deep Apple, but for the overall fight against cardiometabolic diseases.

About Deep Apple and Novo Nordisk

Deep Apple aims to redefine the landscape of small molecule discovery. Founded by Apple Tree Partners, it employs ensemble cryo-EM to explore receptor conformations and deep learning technologies to facilitate drug design.

Novo Nordisk, established in 1923 and headquartered in Denmark, is a global healthcare leader focusing on transforming treatment strategies for chronic diseases, putting patients at the heart of its innovations. The collaboration with Deep Apple is expected to foster significant advancements in therapeutic approaches, fulfilling the mission of both companies to improve and prolong lives.