Novo Nordisk has obtained an exclusive, worldwide license to develop, manufacture and commercialize Lexicon Pharmaceuticals’ first-in-class, oral non-incretin development candidate in obesity and associated metabolic disorders.
Lexicon is eligible to receive up to $1 billion in upfront and development, regulatory and sales milestone payments, including $75 million in upfront and near-term milestone payments.
LX9851, discovered and developed by Lexicon, is a potent and selective oral small molecule inhibitor of Acyl-CoA Synthetase 5 (ACSL5). ACSL5 plays a key role in the metabolic pathway which regulates fat accumulation and energy balance.
Per the deal, Lexicon will be responsible for completing agreed upon investigational new drug (IND) application-enabling activities for LX9851. Novo will be responsible for filing the IND, all further development, manufacturing and commercialization of LX9851.
Preclinical in vivo efficacy data presented at Obesity Week 2024 show that LX9851, when combined with semaglutide, significantly reduced weight, food intake and fat mass compared to semaglutide alone. Separately, LX9851 mitigated weight regain and had positive effects on liver steatosis when introduced after semaglutide discontinuation.