Novo Nordisk launches major obesity research program

The Company Foundation is funding a new pan-European initiative to accelerate drug discovery and the development of next generation therapeutics for cardiometabolic diseases. 

The initiative addresses one of today's most pressing global challenges: Translating promising research into improved care for people living with CMDs. Despite Europe's strong position in CMD research, many promising discoveries fail to progress beyond the academic laboratory.

To address this challenge, a new initiative, CardioMetabolic Bridge, will support selected academic research projects with funding, scientific and commercial mentoring from entrepreneurs and industry experts and access to state-of-the-art facilities. The initiative is backed by up to DKK 450 million (EUR 60.2 million) from the Novo Nordisk Foundation over six years. This month, the initiative's first lab space will be opening in London followed by sister sites in Italy and Germany.

• Novo Nordisk Foundation (majority owner) unveiled DKK 450M (~$69M) CardioMetabolic Bridge initiative
• Pan-European incubator network to speed drug discovery for obesity, diabetes, cardiometabolic diseases
• First lab opening in London June 2026, followed by hubs in Italy and Germany over 6 years
• Boosts sentiment amid Wegovy pill hitting 3M prescriptions and strong oral GLP-1 uptake

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