With a US$1bn acquisition of Canadian Inversago Pharma, Novo Nordisk A/S fiights to maintain its dominant position in the booming weight loss drug market.

As competiion for Novo Nordisk A/S’ subcutanously administered blockbuster GLP1-receptor blocker semaglutide is growing, particularly as an obesity therapy, the Danish company is broadening its pipeline. While semaglutide achieved a weight loss of 15% in adult obesity patients, Eli Lilly’s Lilly’s tirzepatide delivered up to 22.5% weight loss. Thus, Novo Nordisk is seeking for compounds with a unique and new mode of action and formulation.

Canadian endiocannabinoid specialist Inversago Pharma thus agreed to be purchased for up to USD$1.075bn including milestones to be yet achieved. Inversago Pharma has a CB1 receptor blocker in its pipeline for the potential treatment of obesity, diabetes and complications associated with metabolic disorders.

The acquisition includes the Canadian company’s lead asset INV-202. The oral CB1 blocker plays an important role in metabolism and appetite regulation  in peripheral tissues such as adipose tissues, the gastro-intestinal tract, the kidneys, liver, pancreas, muscles and lungs. INV-202 demonstrated weight loss potential in a Phase 1b trial and is currently in a Phase 2 trial for diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Additional pipeline assets are also being developed for metabolic and fibrotic disorders. Novo Nordisk intends to investigate the potential of INV-202 for obesity and obesity-related complications.

The mechanistic and preclinical therapeutic effects of peripheral CB1 receptor blocking are well-studied across a range of cardiometabolic and fibrotic diseases, supporting the potential treatment of many people with current unmet needs.