The Life Sciences team guided Deep Apple Therapeutics in a research collaboration and exclusive worldwide license agreement with Novo Nordisk to discover, develop, and commercialize oral small molecule therapeutics directed at a novel non-incretin GPCR target for cardiometabolic diseases, including obesity. Under the terms of the agreement, Deep Apple will discover and optimize compounds using its proprietary drug discovery platform, which combines machine-learning-powered virtual screening with structural biology enabled by cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to dramatically improve speed, quality, and novelty in lead generation and optimization. Novo Nordisk will receive exclusive global rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize the resulting compounds and products in all indications. In total, Deep Apple will be eligible to receive up to $812 million in payments, as well as potential royalties on sales of any products that emerge from the collaboration.
Deep Apple is writing a new playbook for small molecule drug discovery. Founded by Apple Tree Partners (ATP), Deep Apple combines ensemble cryo-EM to explore receptor conformations, deep learning, and the docking of multi-billion virtual compound libraries generated using the company’s proprietary Orchard.ai™ algorithm. This structure-based, machine-learning driven drug design approach enables the company to rapidly advance novel candidates addressing well-validated targets in inflammatory and metabolic diseases. Deep Apple has built a rich pipeline of GPCR target programs, including a MRGPRX2 antagonist in, and a GIPR antagonist nearing, IND-enabling studies.
The Goodwin team was led by Sarah Solomon, Kathleen Kean, Jennifer Ford, John Yates, and Daniel Karelitz.
For more information on the deal, please read the press release and coverage in Fierce Biotech.