What happened
The Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk has entered a strategic partnership with the U.S. biotech firm Vivtex. Vivtex is licensing its technologies for oral delivery of biologics — an approach that enables converting injectable peptides and proteins into pills. Under the agreement Vivtex could receive up to $2.1 billion in up-front payments, research funding, milestone payments and a share of royalties. The information is on Novo’s website and in Bloomberg reports.
Why it matters
This isn’t about flashy PR — it’s about business and access to treatment. A pill is easier to use and manage logistically than an injection; it opens markets and lowers barriers for patients. For Novo the deal is part of a strategy to restore its position after competitive pressure (Bloomberg notes a significant drop in the company’s market capitalization over the past year). For healthcare systems, especially in regions with challenging infrastructure, oral biologics could mean faster and less risky access to therapy.
How the technology works and what to realistically expect
Vivtex combines high-throughput experiments with computational analytics and artificial intelligence to find formulations that allow biologics to pass through the gastrointestinal tract. However, most of their developments are still at early stages — getting to patients will require clinical trials and regulatory decisions that could take several years.
“More than five years ago we launched the world’s first oral biologic... We continue to push the boundaries of science through internal and external innovation,”
— Brian Vandal, Senior Vice President of Therapeutic Development, Novo Nordisk
“Converting biologics to oral administration has always been one of the most difficult challenges in the field of drug delivery...”
— Thomas von Erlach, CEO and Co‑founder of Vivtex
Market context
The market for obesity treatments is growing rapidly and is estimated at tens of billions of dollars annually. Novo dominates thanks to semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy), but pressure from Eli Lilly (tirzepatide) has accelerated the search for new revenue streams: the acquisition of Akero for $5.2 billion and now — the partnership with Vivtex. The success of this strategy will depend on how quickly the technology passes trials and whether the company can reach the mass market before or alongside competitors.
What this means for Ukraine
In our context oral biologics are not just a convenience. In wartime and post‑war periods simpler drug forms ease logistics, storage and distribution in areas with damaged infrastructure. This is a matter of treatment access for those who need it most.
Conclusion: the Novo Nordisk–Vivtex deal is a strategic bet on the long term: a potentially transformative technology, but with an expected time lag. Analysis shows this is a logical move by a major player trying to regain ground while expanding access to therapies — the question is whether they will realize the benefits before competitors and how quickly patients will feel the impact.
