Novo Nordisk expands innovative approaches to tackle obesity and Type 2 diabetes

DENMARK — Novo Nordisk, renowned for its successful pharmaceuticals like Ozempic, Wegovy, Victoza, and Saxenda, is diversifying its strategies in the realm of obesity and Type 2 diabetes treatment.

In an effort to broaden its approach beyond traditional pharmaceuticals and insulins, Novo has entered into a collaborative venture with GE HealthCare, aiming to pioneer a drug-free, noninvasive treatment method.

Their collaboration is centered on peripheral-focused ultrasound (PFUS) technology, which empowers ultrasound to play an active role in the treatment of diseases by stimulating specific areas of the nervous system.

Notably, GE HealthCare has been at the forefront of PFUS technology research since 2016, partnering with research institutions and the U.S. government to advance this innovative approach.

While ultrasound has traditionally been associated with monitoring and diagnosis, PFUS technology goes a step further by enabling ultrasound to proactively treat diseases.

This cutting-edge technology employs soundwaves to activate precise regions of the nervous system, with the goal of modulating specific nerve responses.

GE’s research journey into PFUS technology, backed by a US$2.9 million project initiated in 2018 in collaboration with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), has yielded promising results.

A 2021 study conducted by scientists from GE Research and the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research demonstrated that using ultrasound to stimulate metabolic sensory neurons in the livers of mice over eight weeks led to significant weight loss, reduced inflammation, and mitigated obesity-related complications.

Subsequently, in another study conducted a year later, PFUS technology showcased its potential in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes.

The study’s authors concluded that sending ultrasound pulses to stimulate metabolic nerve pathways in mice’s livers could restore glucose balance, potentially preventing or reversing elevated glucose levels.

The Novo Nordisk and GE HealthCare partnership will build upon these breakthrough findings, leveraging Novo Nordisk’s extensive expertise in metabolic disease treatment to further refine PFUS technology for practical human application.

Roland Rott, the President and CEO of GE HealthCare’s ultrasound division, expressed enthusiasm about this groundbreaking collaboration.

He noted, “In an era where diabetes is increasing around the globe, we are enthusiastic about the potential for ultrasound to help people live healthier lives.

“This collaboration with Novo Nordisk opens a path to evolve ultrasound from a means of screening and diagnosis into therapy, as well. We are eager to validate and further develop this potentially groundbreaking science, as we strive to offer patients alternative treatment options for chronic diseases.”

Novo Nordisk’s venture into non-pharmacological approaches to address Type 2 diabetes and obesity doesn’t stop at PFUS technology.

Earlier this year, the company announced a partnership with Aspect Biosystems, focusing on the development of bio-printed tissues designed to treat the root causes of diabetes by enhancing or replacing cellular processes in the body.

This collaboration began with a substantial US$75 million upfront payment from Novo, and Aspect Biosystems stands to gain up to US$2.675 billion, with US$650 million available in milestone payments for each of four potential product lines.

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