In a move set to bolster its presence in the cardiovascular disease arena, Novo Nordisk has announced the acquisition of Cardior Pharmaceuticals for up to 1.025 billion Euros. This strategic acquisition underscores Novo Nordisk’s commitment to addressing the significant unmet needs in cardiovascular disease, which remains the leading cause of death globally.
Cardior Pharmaceuticals is renowned for its pioneering work in developing therapies that target RNA to prevent, repair, and reverse heart diseases. Their lead compound, CDR132L, currently in phase 2 clinical development for heart failure treatment, has shown promise in selectively blocking abnormal levels of the microRNA molecule miR-132, potentially leading to long-lasting improvements in heart function.
Martin Holst Lange, Executive Vice President for Development at Novo Nordisk, expressed excitement about the scientific work done by the Cardior team, especially regarding CDR132L. He emphasized the compound’s distinctive mode of action and its potential to become a first-in-class therapy for people living with heart failure.
CDR132L has already demonstrated safety and tolerability in a phase 1b trial, with preliminary results indicating improvements in cardiac function compared to placebo. The ongoing phase 2 trial, HF-REVERT, aims to further evaluate its efficacy in 280 people with heart failure who have previously suffered a heart attack.
Looking ahead, Novo Nordisk plans to initiate a second phase 2 trial investigating CDR132L in chronic heart failure patients with cardiac hypertrophy, a condition that stiffens the heart muscle, affecting its ability to pump blood effectively.
Claudia Ulbrich, MD, CEO, and co-founder of Cardior, sees the acquisition as a testament to CDR132L’s transformative potential as a disease-modifying therapy for heart failure. She expressed confidence in Novo Nordisk as an ideal partner to accelerate the late-stage development of CDR132L, including through larger registrational studies, towards market approval.
The acquisition is expected to close in the second quarter of 2024, pending regulatory approvals and other customary conditions. It will not impact Novo Nordisk’s operating profit outlook for 2024 or its ongoing share buy-back program, as the acquisition will be funded from the company’s financial reserves.
Heart failure affects more than 65 million people globally and is a chronic, progressive condition with high morbidity and mortality rates. Current therapies can slow but not halt disease progression. Novo Nordisk’s acquisition of Cardior Pharmaceuticals and its promising compound CDR132L represents a significant step forward in the quest to combat this debilitating disease.
(Source: FT | Pharma Live | Fierce Biotech)
