On 25 Mar 2024, Novo Nordisk announced the acquisition of Cardior Pharmaceuticals for (up to) € 1.025B comprised of an initial payment and milestone payments.
Cardior Pharmaceuticals specialises in RNA-targeted therapies aimed at preventing, repairing, and reversing heart diseases. Its lead compound, CDR132L, reportedly selectively blocks abnormal levels of miR-132. Phase 1b trial results showed promising safety and tolerability along with promising cardiac functional improvements in heart failure patients. As reported in Novo Nordisk’s press release, the ongoing phase 2 trials aim to benefit individuals with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) who have previously experienced a heart attack.
The Novo Nordisk press release states that it plans to initiate a second phase 2 trial to investigate CDR132L in a chronic heart failure population with cardiac hypertrophy.
The acquisition is expected to be finalised in the second quarter of 2024, subject to regulatory approvals.
This news follows the 5 February 2024 announcement by Novo Holdings (Novo Nordisk’s parent company) that it acquired global contract development and manufacturing company Catalent for USD $16.5B, a deal which is expected to close in late 2024.