Novo Nordisk A/S and Japanese chemical company UBE Industries Ltd. recently announced that Novo Nordisk has obtained an exclusive worldwide licence to UBE’s preclinical asset UD-014, a selective Semicarbazide-Sensitive Amine Oxidase/Vascular Adhesion Protein-1 (SSAO/VAP-1) inhibitor small molecule, which has shown promising efficacy in preclinical studies for its anti-inflammatory mechanism of action and antioxidative effect on endothelial cells, and can potentially be used for the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

NASH is a chronic and progressive liver disease characterised by fat accumulation and inflammation in the liver, which can lead to fibrosis and impaired liver function. If left untreated, individuals living with NASH may face serious consequences, including end-stage liver disease, liver cancer and the need for liver transplantation, and are at a significantly higher risk of liver-related mortality.

Under the terms of the agreement, UBE will receive an upfront payment as well as development and sales milestones plus tiered royalties on the annual net sales. Novo Nordisk will be responsible for the further development, manufacturing and commercialisation of UD-014.

“This is a great opportunity for Novo Nordisk, to extend our presence and investment in NASH. We are looking forward to working closely with UBE to transfer the project and to continue the development of UD-014 as there are currently no treatments available for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis,” says Marcus Schindler, senior vice president for Global Drug Discovery in Novo Nordisk.

“NASH is a complex disease and we hope that patients living with NASH will get more treatment options for which we believe that UD-014 is a strong potential candidate. We are excited that Novo Nordisk with its broad expertise related to diabetes and metabolic diseases takes on the responsibility for the development. We look forward to working with Novo Nordisk’s team for the transfer of this important project that has a potential to make a difference for the many untreated NASH patients,” says Yoichi Funayama, executive officer of UBE Industries.