Ascendis regains obesity rights as Novo exits monthly GLP-1 deal

16 September 2026

Danish biopharmaceutical firm Ascendis Pharma (Nasdaq: ASND) is to regain exclusive rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize products based on its TransCon technology in metabolic and cardiovascular disease, including obesity, following termination of the collaboration agreement struck with fellow Danish company Novo Nordisk (NOV: N) in November 2024.

All licenses granted to Novo in those disease areas, including rights to once-monthly TransCon Semaglutide, revert to Ascendis on termination, with neither side carrying any continuing financial obligation to the other. Ascendis said it plans to start multiple programs across both rare and larger metabolic and cardiovascular indications once the reversion takes effect.

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