Zealand Pharma and Roche enter collaboration and license agreement to co-develop and co-commercialize petrelintide as a future foundational therapy for people with overweight and obesity

Core Viewpoint - Zealand Pharma and Roche have entered a global collaboration and license agreement to co-develop and co-commercialize petrelintide, an amylin analog aimed at addressing overweight and obesity, with the potential for related indications [2][3][4] Company Overview - Zealand Pharma is a biotechnology company focused on innovative peptide-based medicines, with a history of advancing drug candidates into clinical development [18][19] - Roche is a leading pharmaceutical company with expertise in cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, aiming to enhance treatment options for obesity and related comorbidities through this collaboration [4][18] Collaboration Details - The agreement includes co-development and co-commercialization of petrelintide and combination products, specifically a fixed-dose combination of petrelintide and Roche's CT-388 [5][6] - Zealand Pharma will receive upfront cash payments totaling USD 1.65 billion, with potential total consideration of up to USD 5.3 billion, including milestone payments [6][7] - Profits and losses from petrelintide and its combination products will be shared equally in the U.S. and Europe, while Roche will have exclusive commercialization rights in the rest of the world [5][8] Product Information - Petrelintide is designed for once-weekly subcutaneous administration and aims to provide weight loss comparable to GLP-1 receptor agonists with improved tolerability [11][12] - In clinical trials, petrelintide demonstrated a mean body weight reduction of 8.6% after 16 weeks, significantly outperforming the placebo group [12] - CT-388, Roche's lead asset, is a dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist currently in Phase 2b trials for obesity and type 2 diabetes [13] Market Context - The global prevalence of overweight and obesity is projected to reach approximately 50% by 2030, highlighting the urgent need for effective treatment options [14] - There is a significant unmet medical need for therapies with alternative mechanisms of action and better tolerability for patients living with obesity [14]