Staten Biotechnology and Novo Nordisk today have entered into a collaboration and exclusive option agreement to develop novel therapeutics for the treatment of hypertriglyceridaemia.

Novo Nordisk will provide research and development funding and support for Staten to develop its lead asset STT-5058 for treatment of dyslipidaemia. Under the exclusive option agreement, Novo Nordisk has the right to acquire Staten Biotechnology and gain worldwide rights to STT-5058. Staten Biotechnology and its shareholders will potentially receive signing and exercise fees, R&D funding, and milestone payments of up to €430 million.

“Novo Nordisk is joining forces with Staten Biotechnology at an exciting time for us, with the company’s lead compound moving towards its first clinical trial, aiming to address the residual cardiovascular risk in patients with hypertriglyceridaemia,” said Hilde Steineger, chief executive officer, Staten Biotechnology. “This partnership provides the company not only with a knowledgeable development partner but also with a funding structure that allows founders, management and the founding investors to accelerate the development of company.”

Marcus Schindler, senior vice president, global drug discovery, Novo Nordisk, said, “Our partnership with Staten Biotechnology is a key step in executing our strategic priority to expand into cardiovascular diseases. Hypertriglyceridemia is a serious risk factor for cardiovascular disease, in particular often present in people with diabetes and obesity. Staten Biotechnology has developed STT-5058, a new promising concept validated by human genetics, for the treatment of hypertriglyceridemia. Combining Staten’s know-how on STT-5058, the scientific excellence of the company’s executive team and founders, with Novo Nordisk experience in drug development and commercialization, the project holds potential to make a real difference for people suffering from cardiovascular disease.”