Latest News & Views in Diabetes Technology

Canadian company, Aspect Biosystems, and Novo Nordisk have announced a partnership to develop bioprinted tissue therapeutics that could treat diabetes and obesity. Novo Nordisk will have an exclusive worldwide license to use Aspect's bioprinting technology to develop up to four products to treat diabetes and/or obesity.

The partnership aims to develop implantable bioprinted tissues that can replace, repair, or supplement biological functions inside the body, with the goal of delivering a new class of disease-modifying treatments. The collaboration will initially focus on developing bioprinted tissue therapeutics designed to maintain normal blood glucose levels without the need for immunosuppression, which may represent a transformative treatment for people living with type 1 diabetes.

Aspect's proprietary bioprinting technology will be combined with Novo Nordisk's expertise and technology in stem cell differentiation and cell therapy development and manufacturing. The partnership will also leverage Aspect’s full-stack tissue therapeutic platform, talented team, and bold vision. Under the terms of the agreement, Aspect will receive an initial payment of $75 million, including research funding and an investment in the form of a convertible note. They are also eligible to receive up to $650 million in future milestone payments per product, as well as tiered royalties on future product sales. Jacob Sten Petersen, Corporate Vice President of Cell Therapy R&D at Novo Nordisk, said the collaboration was an "important component" in the company's strategy to develop comprehensive cell therapy products.

Read the full press release