Novo Nordisk, Omega and Cellarity Collaborate to Reshape Future of Obesity and MASH

Novo Nordisk joins forces with Omega Therapeutics and Cellarity under Flagship Pioneering's initiative, aiming to create cutting-edge treatments for obesity and MASH. Omega focuses on thermogenesis in obesity management, while Cellarity employs AI for MASH treatment.

In a significant stride for cardiometabolic disease research, Novo Nordisk has announced groundbreaking collaborations with Omega Therapeutics and Cellarity. These partnerships, part of an existing alliance with Flagship Pioneering, mark a pivotal moment in developing novel treatments for obesity and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). Valued at over $1 billion, these collaborations represent a major advancement in treating cardiometabolic diseases, harnessing innovative technology and expertise.

“This is an important moment in our partnership with Flagship Pioneering. We look forward to advancing these research programmes with Omega and Cellarity in the coming years as we explore bold new treatment strategies with the potential to make a significant impact for people living with obesity or MASH,” said Marcus Schindler, Executive Vice President at Novo Nordisk. “Both companies offer differentiated and novel approaches, including Omega’s expertise in controlled epigenomic modulation and Cellarity’s deep insights into applying human data and artificial intelligence to the development of new medicines.”

Omega Therapeutics is set to revolutionize obesity treatment Leveraging their proprietary epigenomic platform, the focus is on developing an epigenomic controller to enhance metabolic activity, specifically targeting thermogenesis. This approach deviates from traditional appetite-focused treatments and taps into the body's natural energy balance regulation mechanisms. Mahesh Karande, CEO of Omega Therapeutics, emphasizes the precision and specificity of this method, viewing it as a durable alternative in obesity management.

Cellarity's Role in Combatting MASH

MASH, a progressive liver disease with no approved treatments, presents a high unmet need in patient care. Novo Nordisk and Cellarity aim to address this gap. Using advanced AI models and multiomics data, Cellarity seeks to uncover novel cellular behaviors in MASH progression. Their partnership with Novo Nordisk, a leader in metabolic diseases, is poised to create transformative small molecule therapies, moving beyond traditional drug discovery methods.

The Flagship Framework

These collaborations are the first under the larger Flagship Pioneering and Novo Nordisk partnership. The aim is to leverage Flagship’s bioplatform technologies with Novo Nordisk’s expertise in cardiometabolic diseases, creating a synergy to foster innovative treatment solutions. Paul Biondi, president of Pioneering Medicines, highlights the potential of these collaborations in bringing transformative medicines to patients.

Financial and Developmental Implications

Each program, jointly supported by Novo Nordisk and Pioneering Medicines, could receive an investment of up to $532 million in upfront, development, and commercial milestone payments, in addition to royalties. These collaborations signify a monumental step in combating cardiometabolic diseases. By merging cutting-edge technology, innovative platforms, and a shared vision for pioneering treatment methods, Novo Nordisk, Omega Therapeutics, and Cellarity are establishing a new standard in the pharmaceutical sector.