Novo Nordisk and The United Laboratories International Holdings Limited (TUL) Agreement to Develop UBT251 for Metabolic Disorders
Monday, March 24, 2025
Novo Nordisk and The United Laboratories International Holdings Limited (TUL) have entered into an exclusive licence agreement for UBT251, a triple receptor agonist targeting GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon.
UBT251 is classified as a Class 1 innovative drug in China and is being developed for multiple indications, including type 2 diabetes, metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), chronic kidney disease (CKD), and obesity. Clinical trials are ongoing in both China and the United States.
UBT251 is in early-stage clinical development for the treatment of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other conditions.
Under the terms of the agreement, Novo Nordisk has secured exclusive worldwide rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialise UBT251, excluding mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. United Biotechnology, a wholly owned subsidiary of TUL, will retain rights in these regions.
The agreement includes an upfront payment of USD 200 million to United Biotechnology, along with potential milestone payments of up to USD 1.8 billion and tiered royalties on net sales outside the specified regions.
United Biotechnology recently concluded a phase 1b clinical trial in China, assessing the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of UBT251 in individuals with overweight or obesity. The trial enrolled 36 participants across three dose groups (1mg, 1mg/3mg, and 1mg/3mg/6mg), with weekly subcutaneous injections administered over 12 weeks.
The safety profile of UBT251 aligned with incretin-based therapies, with gastrointestinal symptoms being the most common adverse effects. The highest dose group experienced an average weight reduction of 15.1% from baseline, whereas the placebo group recorded a 1.5% increase in weight.
The agreement supports TUL’s strategic goal of strengthening its position in the treatment of chronic diseases and expanding its global presence.
Novo Nordisk’s involvement is expected to accelerate the development of UBT251 and enhance treatment options for patients with cardiometabolic conditions.
Source: novonordisk.com
