Novo Nordisk Invests $550 Million in Replicate for RNA Obesity Drugs

Novo Nordisk has struck a research and licensing agreement worth up to $550 million with San Diego-based Replicate Bioscience, securing worldwide rights to the start-up’s self-replicating RNA technology for new treatments aimed at obesity, type-2 diabetes and related cardiometabolic disorders. Replicate will receive an undisclosed upfront payment, research funding and potential milestone fees, and could earn tiered royalties on any products that reach the market. Replicate’s srRNA constructs are designed to copy themselves once inside a patient’s cells, prompting longer-lasting production of therapeutic proteins at lower doses than conventional messenger-RNA approaches. Novo Nordisk said the platform could broaden its pipeline beyond the GLP-1 class that underpins its blockbuster drugs Ozempic and Wegovy. The deal extends a string of external partnerships Novo has pursued this year as it tries to defend its lead in the fast-growing weight-management market against Eli Lilly and a wave of copycat compounded medicines. Earlier tie-ups include agreements with United Laboratories International and Deep Apple Therapeutics covering other experimental obesity therapies. Novo’s drive to replenish its pipeline comes as its importance to Denmark’s economy is underlined by the government’s decision on 29 August to cut its 2025 growth forecast to 1.4% from 3%, citing softer expectations for pharmaceutical exports and higher U.S. tariffs. Copenhagen hopes new drug candidates such as those emerging from the Replicate partnership will help restore momentum in coming years.