Lexicon Pharma soars as it licenses LX9851 to Novo Nordisk

28 March 2025

Danish pharma major Novo Nordisk (NOV: N) has taken another step in its strategy to maintain dominance in the obesity space by adding complementary mechanisms to pair with its blockbuster bGLP-1 franchise.

Today Novo Nordisk entered into an exclusive licensing deal with USA-based Lexicon Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: LXRX) for an exclusive license for the latter’s LX9851, a first-in-class, oral non-incretin development candidate in obesity and associated metabolic disorders.

Lexicon’s shares were up more than 50% at $0.52 in early trading today, having risen as much as 85% in pre-market activity.

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