Novo Nordisk has agreed to acquire Cardiol Pharmaceuticals, a German biotechnology company focused on discovering new heart disease treatments, for approximately $1.1 billion. This includes upfront payments and additional payments made if certain milestones are achieved.

Cardior’s business model focuses on the discovery and development of new RNA-based medicines for the prevention of cardiovascular disease. One of Novo Nordisk’s main targets in this acquisition was CDR132L, a compound currently under development for the treatment of heart failure. It was designed to “stop and partially reverse cellular pathology” by blocking abnormal levels of the molecule miR-132. Early research on CDR132L european heart journal In 2020.[1]

Martin Horst Lange, executive vice president of development at Novo Nordisk, said: “Having Cardiol as part of Novo Nordisk expands our cardiovascular disease project, which already has programs underway across all stages of clinical development. This will strengthen the pipeline.” Prepared statement. “We are impressed by the scientific research carried out by the Cardior team, especially the work on CDR132L. CDR132L has a unique mechanism of action and can halt or partially reverse the course of the disease in people It has the potential to be a first-in-class treatment for people living with heart failure. ”