Novo Nordisk, Cellartis and Lund University enter into a collaboration to develop insulin-producing cells from stem cells for the treatment of diabetes

23 October 2008

Novo Nordisk A/S, a world leader in diabetes care, Cellartis AB, a forefront stem cell biotechnology company, and Lund University Stem Cell Center today signed a collaborative research agreement for the development of insulin-producing cells from human stem cells. The collaboration aims to develop a cell therapy for the treatment of insulin-dependent diabetes and, in the longer term, a cure for diabetes.

“Finding a cure for diabetes is part of Novo Nordisk’s vision. Today’s agreement is an important first step in achieving our goal of developing a cure for type 1 diabetes. The collaboration brings together a highly talented team in stem cell research, which provides an excellent building block to develop potential treatments,” said Senior Vice President for Diabetes Research in Novo Nordisk, Peter Kurtzhals.

Under the terms of the agreement Novo Nordisk acquires the exclusive rights to further develop and commercialise potential products for the treatment of diabetes, while Cellartis acquires the exclusive rights to further develop and commercialise certain other products resulting from the technologies developed under the collaboration.
The collaborative agreement builds on a long-standing research collaboration between Cellartis, Professor Henrik Semb and Hagedorn Research Institute, Novo Nordisk’s basic research centre in Denmark. To date, the collaboration between the three parties has focused on understanding how the formation of insulin-producing cells during embryonic development can be mimicked by directing stem cells in culture.

The collaborative agreement now takes these developmental and stem cell biology research activities a step further. The aim is to generate new knowledge about how to ‘program’ stem cells to turn into insulin-producing beta cells that can be used for the treatment of diabetes.

“This very important collaboration will strengthen the stem cell research in diabetes at the Lund University Stem Cell Center. I can think of no stronger partner in the area of diabetes than Novo Nordisk,” said Professor Henrik Semb, director of Lund University Stem Cell Center and co-founder of Cellartis.

“We are delighted that Novo Nordisk has chosen to collaborate with Cellartis in the area of stem cell therapy. It clearly demonstrates that our human embryonic stem cell platform has the potential to achieve clinical breakthroughs in the future. We are particularly proud that the collaboration will enable us to participate in the differentiation of our stem cells towards beta cells using Cellartis’ sophisticated technologies. The collaboration will be a positive influence on our operations at both the Scottish/UK and the Swedish sites,” said CEO of Cellartis, Mats Lundwall, when the agreement was announced.

Cellartis will receive a technology access fee as well as potential development and sales milestones of more than 100 million euros. If a product is successfully commercialised, Cellartis will receive royalties on worldwide sales of any diabetes care product developed under the collaboration. In addition, Cellartis and Professor Henrik Semb will receive financial funding from Novo Nordisk for the joint research programme. Further financial terms of the agreement will not be disclosed.

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