On April 12, 2023, Aspect Biosystems, a biotechnology company pioneering the development of bioprinted tissue therapeutics, and leading global healthcare company Novo Nordisk A/S announced a collaboration, development, and license agreement to develop bioprinted tissue therapeutics with the aim of delivering a new class of truly disease-modifying treatments for diabetes and obesity. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati advised Aspect Biosystems on the transaction.

The deal includes up to $2.7 billion, with Novo Nordisk providing Aspect Biosystems with an upfront payment of $75 million and up to $650 million in future milestone payments per product arising from the collaboration, plus tiered royalties.

The partnership will leverage Aspect Biosystems’ proprietary bioprinting technology and Novo Nordisk’s expertise and technology in stem cell differentiation and cell therapy development and manufacturing. The collaboration will initially focus on developing bioprinted tissue therapeutics designed to maintain normal blood glucose levels without the need for immunosuppression, which may represent a transformative treatment for people living with type 1 diabetes.

The Wilson Sonsini team that assisted Aspect Biosystems includes:

Technology Transactions - Biotech
John Wehrli
Sarah Siedlak
Jordin Wilcher
Taylor Arterburn
Isaiah Loya

Patents and Innovations
Ali Alemozafar
Matt Bresnahan
Maysam Pessian

For more information, please see Novo Nordisk's news release. Additional coverage can be found on Fierce Biotech and BioPharma Reporter.