Ocedurenone is an orally administered, small molecule, non-steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (nsMRA) that is currently being examined in a phase 3 trial in patients with uncontrolled hypertension and advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD).

“Hypertension is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular events, heart failure, chronic kidney disease and premature death,” said Martin Holst Lange, executive vice president and head of Development at Novo Nordisk. “With its expected benefit-risk profile, ocedurenone has best-in-class potential in treating uncontrolled hypertension and could help address a major unmet medical need in people living with cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease.”

“We believe this transition could unlock the full potential of ocedurenone and benefit more patients with cardiovascular and kidney disease worldwide,” said Zhenhua Huang, founder and chairman of KBP Biosciences. “The transition is an exciting inflection point in the discovery, research and development work on ocedurenone carried out by KBP, a young player still establishing itself in the global pharmaceutical industry,” added Fred Yang, chief development officer at KBP Biosciences.

The current phase 3 trial, Novo Nordisk said, has been initiated in the US, Europe and Asia with the first patient dosed at the end of 2021 and will continue as planned with a total of more than 600 patients expected to be randomized by more than 150 sites. Novo Nordisk expects to initiate phase 3 trials in additional cardiovascular and kidney disease indications in the coming years, aiming to maximize the full potential of ocedurenone.

The closing of the deal is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary conditions and is expected before the end of 2023.

According to Novo Nordisk, the transaction will not impact the company’s previously communicated operating profit outlook for 2023 or the ongoing share buy-back program. Novo Nordisk will fund the acquisition from financial reserves.