#USA #Seattle #Novo Nordisk #Variant Bio #metabolic disease

Variant Bio and Novo Nordisk Form Strategic Research Partnership

In a significant advance for the field of metabolic disease treatment, Variant Bio has officially announced a multi-year research collaboration with renowned biopharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk. The partnership aims to uncover new therapeutic targets for various metabolic disorders, including obesity, leveraging Variant Bio's cutting-edge VB-Inference analysis platform.

At the core of this collaboration is a commitment to identifying and validating novel targets that boast substantial human genetic evidence. This scientific initiative garners considerable attention, as it seeks to address an essential gap in our understanding of metabolic diseases. Historically, most genetic research has predominantly focused on populations of European ancestry, creating a pressing need for broader genetic and ethnical representation in research outcomes.

David Moller, Chief Scientific Officer at Variant Bio, elaborated on the urgency of the partnership: "Metabolic diseases, including obesity, affect millions globally. Yet, the lack of diverse genetic research means that many potential treatment targets remain unexplored. By tapping into genetic variations across diverse populations, we hope to discover novel targets that can lead to more effective treatment options for everyone."

To achieve these ambitious goals, the collaboration utilizes Variant Bio's innovative VB-Inference platform. This analysis tool integrates whole genome sequencing with deep phenotyping and multi-omic data, enabling comprehensive insights into the mechanisms of diseases. By synthesizing various biological data, the platform facilitates a nuanced understanding of genetic influences on health, moving beyond traditional genetic association studies.

"We are thrilled to apply our VB-Inference platform in such a vital research area that impacts so many lives," stated Stephane Castel, Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder of Variant Bio. The partnership offers the added advantage of combining Variant Bio's innovative methodologies with Novo Nordisk's extensive expertise in drug discovery for metabolic conditions.

The financial framework of the collaboration is equally impressive. Novo Nordisk will provide Variant Bio with an upfront payment and additional near-term R&D funding reaching up to $50 million. Moreover, there are potential option and milestone payments tied to the development of targets discovered during the partnership. This financial support underscores the mutual commitment to driving research that may cultivate new treatment avenues in the metabolic disease landscape.

As this partnership unfolds, it also highlights Variant Bio's long-standing dedication to ethical research practices. The company is committed to sharing the financial benefits derived from their research with the communities that contributed genetic data. This benefit-sharing initiative, launched in 2020, represents a significant ethical consideration as the research progresses.

In summary, the collaboration between Variant Bio and Novo Nordisk marks a pivotal moment in metabolic disease research, aiming to unlock new therapeutic possibilities through innovative genomic studies. The strategic partnership not only emphasizes the importance of inclusivity in research but also offers hope for developing treatments that can have real-world implications for diverse populations around the globe. As the partnership progresses, the scientific and medical communities eagerly await the insights and potential breakthroughs that may emerge from this collaboration.