Novo Nordisk and Valo Health expand AI partnership to tackle cardiometabolic diseases

Novo Nordisk and Valo Health have strengthened their collaboration to advance AI-driven drug discovery, targeting major cardiometabolic diseases, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular conditions. Announced on 8 January 2025, the expanded partnership builds upon their initial agreement in 2023, significantly increasing the scope of research and development to address these growing global health challenges.

With the new terms, the partnership will enable the discovery and development of up to 20 novel drug programmes, an increase from the original 11. Valo Health is set to receive $190 million in near-term payments, including an upfront fee, equity investment, and milestone payments, with total milestone payments potentially reaching $4.6 billion. Additionally, Novo Nordisk will provide funding for research and development, along with potential royalties on successful therapies.

Pioneering Drug Discovery With AI

Central to this partnership is Valo Health’s Opal Computational Platform, a human-centric AI-powered system designed to transform the drug discovery process. By leveraging real-world patient data, the platform identifies novel therapeutic targets, validates them using human preclinical models, and accelerates the development of small-molecule therapies. This approach significantly improves the predictability of safety and efficacy outcomes, streamlining the transition from discovery to clinical development.

Novo Nordisk, a global leader in treatments for diabetes and obesity, brings decades of expertise in cardiometabolic diseases to the collaboration. This combination of cutting-edge AI technology and deep domain knowledge creates a robust framework for addressing unmet medical needs in some of the world’s most prevalent and complex diseases.

Marcus Schindler, Novo Nordisk’s executive vice president and chief scientific officer, highlighted the early success of the collaboration, noting that the expanded scope allows the companies to intensify their focus on obesity and type 2 diabetes while continuing progress in cardiovascular disease. He emphasized the importance of leveraging AI-driven insights to advance multiple drug discovery programmes rapidly.

Early Achievements and Expanded Goals

Since the initial agreement in 2023, the partnership has identified several novel drug targets, forming the foundation for differentiated therapies in cardiometabolic diseases. Preclinical research is already underway for multiple small-molecule candidates, reflecting the collaboration’s ability to translate AI-powered insights into actionable medical solutions.

Valo Health’s CEO, Brian Alexander, described the expansion as a significant milestone in the company’s efforts to use AI and human data to revolutionize treatment development. He underscored the importance of real-world patient data in uncovering actionable insights, stating that the collaboration is at the forefront of a “renaissance moment” in cardiometabolic disease therapeutics.

The addition of nine new drug programmes reflects the companies’ shared commitment to broadening their therapeutic pipeline. By focusing on conditions that often coexist—such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease—Novo Nordisk and Valo Health aim to address the interconnected nature of these health challenges comprehensively.

Addressing a Global Health Crisis

Cardiometabolic diseases are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, placing an immense burden on healthcare systems and economies. The expanded collaboration aims to tackle these issues by integrating human-centric AI with genetic and longitudinal patient data, generating deeper insights into disease mechanisms and therapeutic opportunities.

The use of human preclinical models and advanced analytics ensures that potential therapies are not only effective but also safe for patients. This methodology, supported by Novo Nordisk’s extensive expertise and Valo Health’s computational capabilities, represents a new era in precision medicine.

The companies also aim to create scalable solutions, making breakthrough treatments accessible to a broader population. The partnership’s long-term vision includes driving innovation that reduces the time and cost associated with traditional drug development, ultimately improving outcomes for millions of patients.

Innovation at the Heart of the Partnership

The collaboration between Novo Nordisk and Valo Health exemplifies the power of partnership in driving medical innovation. By combining AI-driven technology with traditional pharmaceutical expertise, the companies are setting new standards for the industry.

Activities under the expanded agreement will span the entire drug discovery continuum, with a focus on integrating real-world patient data to uncover novel insights. The Opal Computational Platform will remain central to these efforts, ensuring that drug development is guided by actionable, human-centric intelligence.

The collaboration’s potential to address significant unmet needs in cardiometabolic diseases positions it as a leader in AI-powered medical innovation. As Novo Nordisk and Valo Health continue to deepen their partnership, the integration of technology, human data, and scientific expertise promises to redefine how treatments are discovered and developed.