Novo Nordisk announced that it will expand its cardiovascular disease pipeline with the acquisition of Cardiol Pharmaceuticals for up to €1.025 billion.

Cardior is focused on discovering and developing therapies that target RNA to prevent, repair, and reverse heart disease.

Heart failure, which affects more than 65 million people worldwide, is most commonly caused by heart diseases such as ischemic heart disease, cardiomyopathy, and hypertension. Current treatments can slow the progression of the disease, but they cannot stop it.

The acquisition gives Novo access to Cardior’s lead compound, CDR132L, which is currently being evaluated in a mid-stage trial in heart failure patients who have had a previous heart attack and have a reduced ejection fraction.

The candidate is designed to halt and partially reverse cellular pathology by selectively blocking aberrant levels of the microRNA molecule miR-132, resulting in long-term improvements in cardiac function. may result in

In a phase 1b trial, CDR132L was reported to be safe and well-tolerated, and the results suggested improved cardiac function in heart failure patients compared to placebo.

Novo also said it plans to begin a Phase 2 trial investigating CDR132L in patients with chronic heart failure, who have cardiac hypertrophy, a condition in which the walls of the heart muscle become thick and hard.

Martin Holst Lange, Executive Vice President of Development at Novo, said: “We are impressed by the scientific work the Cardior team has done, especially on CDR132L, which has a unique mechanism of action and the potential to be a pioneer.” It is a class therapy aimed at halting or partially reversing the course of illness in living people. ”

Although the exact financial details of the deal were not disclosed, Novo said the 1.025 billion euros includes an upfront payment and additional payments if certain development and commercial milestones are achieved. Stated.

Claudia Ulbrich, co-founder and CEO of Cardiol, also commented on the acquisition plan: “Novo Nordisk is an ideal partner, combining deep clinical and commercial expertise with resources to accelerate our late-stage development program, including an extensive registration study, as CDR132L moves towards market approval. I look forward to moving forward.”