Novo Nordisk A/S has agreed to hand over an experimental therapy for Parkinson's disease to Cellular Intelligence, an artificial intelligence startup backed by Mark Zuckerberg, in a move that could accelerate the treatment's development. The transaction marks a reversal of traditional pharmaceutical deals, where large companies like Novo typically acquire products from smaller biotechs.
Deal Details
The Boston-based startup will gain rights to the early-stage treatment and will be responsible for guiding it through clinical trials, the company announced Monday. Novo, known for its obesity blockbuster Wegovy, will receive milestone payments and royalties if the program succeeds. The Danish drugmaker also agreed to purchase a stake in Cellular Intelligence as part of the agreement. Financial terms were not disclosed.
AI-Powered Development
Cellular Intelligence will use its AI platform to accelerate clinical development and manufacturing, according to CEO Micha Breakstone. The startup bid on the Parkinson's project after Novo announced last year that it would cut its cell-therapy division to focus on more lucrative areas like obesity and diabetes. Cellular has opened a lab in Copenhagen and hired many former Novo employees who previously worked on the project.
Cell Therapy Approach
Cell therapies involve live cellular material that is injected or transplanted into patients. Such treatments are already approved for several types of cancer. The experimental Parkinson's program transplants lab-grown, dopamine-producing nerve cells into the area of the brain affected by the disease using a specific device. Dopamine is crucial for functions including movement and mood regulation. No results are yet available from the early clinical trial.
Future Plans
Cellular Intelligence plans to initiate a mid-stage study early next year. The AI will help optimize cell production by predicting how small changes affect quality and survival, Breakstone explained. Data from clinical trials will also help refine the company's AI models further. Novo's commitment is described as a "small strategic investment" in cash, according to Breakstone, a technology entrepreneur who founded Cellular in 2023.
Similar Deals
Earlier this year, Novo struck a similar deal with Canada-based Aspect Biosystems, which acquired rights to stem cell-derived islet cell and hypoimmune cell engineering technologies. Cellular Intelligence has raised over US$60 million from investors including Khosla Ventures and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, the philanthropic organization founded by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
