Novo Nordisk licenses preclinical hemophilia candidate

Danish insulin giant Novo Nordisk has entered into a licence agreement with French biotechnology company C2X Pharma and the French Institute for Health and Medical Research (Inserm). The deal covers rights to a developmental thrombin-activable factor X protein, currently in early preclinical trials as a bypassing agent capable of inducing clotting independent of factors VIII and IX.

Under the agreement, Novo will examine the drug as a potential treatment for hemophilia and other critical bleeding conditions. The Danish company added that the deal forms part of its strategy to expand pipeline projects within the fields of hemophilia and hemostasis. Financial terms were not disclosed.