Novo Nordisk signs up to $1.4B partnership with Orbis Medicines for cardiometabolic drugs

On September 17, 2026, Novo Nordisk A/S announced a partnership with Danish startup Orbis Medicines ApS worth up to $1.4 billion to develop next-generation oral therapies for heart and metabolic diseases. Under the agreement, Novo Nordisk will make a strategic investment in Orbis to leverage its macrocycle technology, which combines the properties of antibodies and small molecules. Notably, Orbis is also backed by Eli Lilly & Co., Novo Nordisk's primary competitor in the cardiometabolic space.

Novo Nordisk–Orbis Medicines partnership

• ▪Novo Nordisk A/S agreed to a partnership with Orbis Medicines ApS worth up to $1.4 billion, announced on September 17, 2026
• ▪The partnership worth up to $1.4 billion announced on September 17, 2026 between Novo Nordisk A/S and Orbis Medicines ApS focuses on developing next-generation oral pills for heart and metabolic diseases

Macrocycle drug development platform

• ▪Orbis Medicines ApS will assist Novo Nordisk A/S in creating macrocycles, which are ring-shaped molecules designed to combine the characteristics of antibodies and small molecules
• ▪Orbis Medicines ApS is led by Chief Executive Officer Morten Graugaard

Orbis investor landscape

• ▪Eli Lilly & Co., a competitor of Novo Nordisk A/S, is an existing stakeholder in Orbis Medicines ApS
• ▪Orbis Medicines ApS is a privately held Danish startup

Debatable claims

• ▪Oral drugs should replace injectables as the primary cardiometabolic treatment
• ▪Regulators should scrutinize Novo Nordisk's investment in Orbis Medicines