Biosplice Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering first-in-class therapeutics based on small-molecule inhibition of DYRK/CLK kinases, has entered a collaboration with Novo Nordisk to develop drug candidates for the treatment of diabetes.
 
This agreement builds upon Biosplice’s research demonstrating the potential of DYRK inhibition to stimulate β-cell proliferation in animal models and human islet cells, thus offering a promising avenue for diabetes treatment.
 
The collaboration combines Novo Nordisk’s expertise in diabetes and Biosplice’s research and development efforts focused on creating selective and potent DYRK inhibitors.
 
Under the terms of the agreement, Novo Nordisk will fund further preclinical development, with an exclusive option to license Biosplice’s relevant intellectual property primarily focused on cardiometabolic disorders. Specific financial terms were not disclosed.
 
“We are extremely pleased to combine our unique DYRK inhibition expertise with Novo Nordisk’s leadership in diabetes treatments,” commented Erich Horsley, CFO and CBO of Biosplice. “For over a decade, Biosplice has pioneered the therapeutic potential of highly selective, small-molecule inhibition of DYRK and CLK kinases. Representing over 500 million patients worldwide, diabetes sufferers stand to benefit enormously from developing therapies, such as ours, which hold the promise of restoring the health of human β-cells. We eagerly anticipate unlocking the immense possibilities through our collaboration with Novo Nordisk.”
 
Biosplice management believes that its selective DYRK inhibitors, which have shown encouraging results in animal models and human islet cells, promise excellent potency and safety margins to enable a first-in-class therapy for diabetes treatment.