Roche, a wager of the property of obesity of $ 5.3 billion

Copenhagen, Denmark – The drug market may have an enlarged obesity after that Rush He made a deal worth $ 5.3 billion to develop Danish biotechnology Zealand PharmaThe “next generation” candidate is a losing weight loss.

The deal, which was announced in March and is scheduled to be closed in the second quarter, represents the last Swiss drugs to compete with heavy weight weight loss Novo Nordsk and Eli LilyAfter building an obesity wallet over recent years.

The analog of the analog of the analog of the analog of Zeala Pharma is the origin that distinguishes it. Agelin isotopes are a form of weight loss treatment, which mimics a common hormone with insulin in the pancreas to increase satiety. This differs from the current prevailing GLP-1 obesity such as zepbound and Wegovy, which mimic the additional hormones produced in the intestine to suppress appetite.

But while analysts saw Roche as an early competitor to Petrelintide, both companies insisted that no deal was made in any way.

“It was a very competitive process, with a number of parties to the end,” David Kendall, chief medical official at Zilland Pharma, told CNBC.

Early clinical data indicates a decrease in the similar weight between amylene analogues and the GLP-1S, but with superior potential tolerance and maintaining lean muscles between the previous-the main points currently for the industry.

Zealand launched Petrelintide as possible “Treating the spine in the future” For weight management, while Bofa described it as “the best in the category amylene”, which aims to lose weight 15-20 % of the 3-stage stage as a mono treatment.

“Roche was the only company that witnessed this call,” Mano Chakravarthy, head of the treatment zone in Roche World, and the development of the development of heart attacks, blood vessels, kidney and metabolism (CVRM) told CNBC via the video call.

“These things are never done until the pen is hit.”

You will see the Roche Zelanda deal, the two companies Participate in joint development and trade Petrelintide as an independent treatment and as a treatment and narration with Roche Lead Ancretin Asset Ct-388. Under the conditions, Zealand will receive cash payments of $ 1.65 billion, with the possibility that prominent payments will acquire a total of up to $ 5.3 billion, depending on the third stage experiences and sales development.

This was announced at that time as a victory for Zelanda, where analysts pointed to the conditions of a strong deal of smaller biotechnology. Zealand pharma shares 38 % jump On the day of the deal, while Roche added about 4 %

Bofa Global Research wrote in a note on March 13, the day following an advertisement, saying that the deal has placed a sign of all biotechnology funds – and its partnership boxes: The bank also described it as “positive” to Rosh, as it brought the amylene to the wider obesity portfolio.

Kendall from Ziopc told CNBC that the common nature between 50-50, which is a common trade nature of partnership was a “essential” part of the negotiations, which which is I started seriously in September.

“We have pushed strongly on this participating bars,” Kendall said. “Others can say that, but when the pencil hit the paper, he did not read this way completely. We come with experience in Petrelintide, they bring the commercial side.”

Doubts were raised about whether Zealand could achieve the target profit share after that earlier Exhausted Gobra drugs of obesity The license deal He saw the latter agreed to receive some royalties on net global sales. However, Roch and Zealand insisted on winning two directions.

“It is not a victory for Syoga. It is not deviant on their way or on our way. It is a real partnership,” said Chirkravarthy. “When you have real cooperation and equal skin in the game, this is where magic occurs.”

The company was punished by investors last year after experimental results of an experimental birth control pill for weight loss, CT-996, and have been associated with temporary side effects. However, Roche insisted a long time that his focus was on Building a set of weight loss treatmentsWith amylane, its analogues between its main goals.

“While we had a good profile in the additions, it was also clear that there was no homogeneity in this,” said Chirkravarthy. “We asked, what can we do for people who want to lose weight? Emielin comes at the top. Then we asked what companies are working in this field. This evaluation led us to Zealand.”

Seven months after negotiations, including with other major drug players, the two companies ultimately cited strong scientific and cultural fit among the main reasons for the agreement.

“It has come to how we see things scientifically. Can we have a conversation and attractive science,” said Chirkravarthy, citing a desire to target the needs of unparalleled patients.

“Roche was fully on the entire road from a cultural perspective,” said Christina Sonnburg Bidal, the chief officer of Zelinda Pharma, said.

The race is now on developing the drug. Zealand Last week It announced the start of the Petrelintide experience in people with weight gain or obesity and type 2 diabetes, with results due in the summer of 2026. Stage 3 experiences will be followed.

It comes at a time when Novo Nordsek is struggling to get rid of negative feelings after a series of Disappointed experimental results Its analog candidate, which combines his teeth with attachments to combat it with the distinctive Smaglutide – the active ingredient in Wegovy.

Zealand CEO Adam Steinsburg CNBC said In October, you expect Petrelintide be given around 2030. This will be behind the targeted schedule for Novo Nordisk for the year 2026 for organizational approval from Cagrisma. But with Roche now on the plane, Zelanda said the schedule could advance.

“Do we do everything in our power to accelerate?” He asked Kendall. “Yes.”

However, competition continues to heat in the drug market for fast -growing obesity. Last month, Eli Lily said Daily obesity pills, or for Glipron Its goals in the first experiences in the late stage, which may open the door to treat weight loss more and easier to manufacture. The Gubra’s Abbvie also brings another competitor to the two meters on the table, although its development remains behind Petrelintide.

Meanwhile, analysts have noticed the barriers that prevent new participants from entering the high development costs associated with these drugs and the need to show additional or superior benefits.

“We don’t have a lot of time to go ahead,” Chakravarthy said. “We definitely aspire to a shorter horizon.”