Novo Nordisk and Evotec collaborate to launch LAB eN², a translational drug discovery accelerator, to address innovation gap in cardiometabolic diseases
- LAB eN² will involve institutions including Harvard University, Mass General Brigham, and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
- Focus of the collaboration is to accelerate the translation of academic ideas to therapeutic product candidates in the cardiometabolic space
Cambridge, Mass., United States and Hamburg, Germany, September 26, 2023 – Novo Nordisk and Evotec SE, today announced LAB eN² (pronounced Lab ee – en – squared), a translational drug discovery accelerator that aims to nurture early research from academic institutions into novel therapeutics. The focus is on addressing unmet need in cardiometabolic diseases as well as rare blood and rare endocrine disorders. LAB eN² is a unique engagement model that combines Evotec’s multimodality drug discovery and preclinical development capabilities with Novo Nordisk’s therapeutic, clinical, and commercial expertise. LAB eN² has already signed on four academic institutions to participate: Harvard University, Mass General Brigham, Yale University, and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.
“At Novo Nordisk, we are always looking for what is next in disruptive science. Many great ideas are started in academia, but translational research and moving the idea to the next stage remains a challenge,” said Uli Stilz, Head of Novo Nordisk’s Bio Innovation Hub in Boston. “With the launch of LAB eN² and our collaboration with these institutions, there is a tremendous opportunity to address this longstanding gap and help move innovative science forward and seek to make a significant impact on people living with chronic conditions.”