Novo Signs $1.4 Billion Deal With Orbis Medicines for AI-Designed Oral Macrocyclic Peptides Targeting Cardiometabolic Diseases; nGen Platform Backed by 18% Oral Bioavailability Preclinical Signal
Novo (formerly Novo Nordisk) and Copenhagen-based Orbis Medicines announced Thursday September 17, 2026 a multi-target drug discovery and licensing collaboration under which Orbis will apply its proprietary nGen macrocyclic-peptide platform — an integration of generative AI, high-throughput synthesis, and multi-parameter optimization for oral bioavailability — to design next-generation oral macrocycles for high-value cardiometabolic disease targets. Orbis is eligible for up to $1.4 billion in upfront and downstream milestone payments plus tiered royalties on future product sales, and Novo will make a separate strategic equity investment in Orbis. Orbis founding CEO Morten Graugaard disclosed the platform's macrocyclic peptides have achieved up to 18% oral bioavailability in preclinical models — a notable improvement for the macrocycle class that has historically struggled with gut absorption. Orbis was founded in January 2025 with a $93 million Series A led by Novo Holdings and Forbion; the Novo pact is the young biotech's first Big Pharma partnership. Neither company disclosed specific targets or lead candidates. The deal deepens Novo's oral-peptide investment strategy following the January 2026 Wegovy pill launch (now surpassing 5 million U.S. prescriptions) and lands the same week the parent company introduced its shorter 'Novo' operating brand.