WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Biopharmaceutical major Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO)
announced on Monday that it has agreed to acquire ocedurenone for uncontrolled
hypertension from KBP Biosciences for up to $1.3 billion.

The deal is expected to close before the end of 2023, subject to receipt of
regulatory approvals and other customary conditions. It is not expected to
impact the company's previously communicated operating profit outlook for 2023.

The transaction will be funded from the company's financial reserves.

Ocedurenone is an orally administered, small molecule, non-steroidal
mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist or nsMRA. The drug is used for
uncontrolled hypertension with potential application in cardiovascular and
kidney disease.

Ocedurenone is currently being examined in the phase 3 trial CLARION-CKD in
patients with uncontrolled hypertension and advanced chronic kidney disease or
CKD.

Camilla Sylvest, executive vice president, Commercial Strategy & Corporate
Affairs at Novo Nordisk, said, 'This deal is closely aligned with our strategic
focus on expanding from our core in diabetes into other serious chronic
diseases, including through novel drug modalities, to help many more patients
living with unmet medical needs.'

Ocedurenone has been investigated in nine clinical trials including the
BLOCK-CKD Phase 2b trial, where it met its primary end point by demonstrating a
statistically significant improvement in systolic blood pressure from baseline
to day 84 in patients with stage 3b/4 CKD and uncontrolled hypertension.

The CLARION-CKD phase 3 trial has been initiated in the US, Europe and Asia 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 company said in statement.

In pre-market activity, Novo Nordisk shares are trading at $101.32, down 0.80%
on the New York Stock Exchange.



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