BRIEF—Novo Nordisk expands collaboration in novel delivery technologies for biologics

Danish diabetes care giant Novo Nordisk today announced the expansion of its existing research collaboration in oral drug delivery technologies with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH).

Since 2015, scientists from Novo Nordisk and the laboratories of Prof Giovanni Traverso and Prof Robert Langer have explored novel technologies as alternatives to syringes and pen injectors, by co-creating new devices that safely and effectively deliver biologic medicines through oral administration.

This collaboration has resulted in several high-impact scientific publications describing breakthrough inventions, including the SOMA robotic pill, which has subsequently been licensed exclusively to Novo Nordisk for clinical development.

“Working with the Langer and Traverso teams continues to be a unique opportunity for Novo Nordisk to live out our aspiration of bringing transformational new solutions to patients by thinking big, working with the best, and using our distinct capabilities to aim to achieve what might otherwise seem impossible,” said Marcus Schindler, professor, executive vice president and chief scientific officer of Novo Nordisk.

The new agreement extends the collaboration through 2026, expanding the scope to encompass the creation and integration of bioelectronics, biosensors and stimuli-responsive delivery devices.