Novo Nordisk to Acquire Emisphere Technologies for $1.8 Billion

Novo Nordisk, a healthcare company based in Denmark, announced on Nov. 6, 2020 that it is acquiring Emisphere Technologies, a US-based drug delivery company, for $1.8 billion.

Under the terms of the acquisition, Novo Nordisk will obtain all outstanding shares of Emisphere for $1.35 billion and all of Emisphere’s Eligen SNAC royalty stream obligations for $450 million, a Novo Nordisk press release said.

The agreement provides Novo Nordisk with full access to Emisphere’s Eligen SNAC technology, used to develop Rybelsus (semaglutide), touted as the first oral biologic, and will give Novo Nordisk the opportunity to expand its oral drug pipeline portfolio, including the ability to develop oral formulations for biologics.

“We intend to apply and further develop the technology and use it on current and future pipeline assets with the aim of making more biologic medicines orally available for patients,” said Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, executive vice-president and chief scientific officer of Novo Nordisk, in the press release.

Source: Novo Nordisk​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​