Novo Nordisk A/S has agreed to acquire a hypertension medication from KBP Biosciences PTE Ltd. for up to $1.3 billion, the companies announced Oct. 16. 

A Danish pharmaceutical company with its U.S. headquarters in Plainsboro, Novo Nordisk said ocedurenone is intended for uncontrolled hypertension with potential treatments of cardiovascular and kidney disease. 

“Hypertension is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular events, heart failure, chronic kidney disease and premature death,” Martin Holst Lange, executive vice president and head of development at Novo Nordisk, said in a statement. “With its expected benefit-risk profile, ocedurenone has best-in-class potential in treating uncontrolled hypertension and could help address a major unmet medical need in people living with cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease.” 

Dr. Zhenhua Huang, founder and chairman of KBP Biosciences – which is based in Singapore with its U.S. headquarters in Princeton – said his company was “delighted to pass the ocedurenone torch to Novo Nordisk.” 

Huang added that the acquisition “could unlock the full potential of ocedurenone and benefit more patients with cardiovascular and kidney disease worldwide.” 

Ocedurenone is currently being examined in a phase 3 trial in patients with uncontrolled hypertension and advanced chronic kidney disease. The trial has been initiated in the U.S., Europe and Asia. Novo Nordisk said it expects to initiate phase 3 trials in additional cardiovascular and kidney disease indications in the coming years. 

The companies expect the deal, which is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary conditions, to close by the end of 2023. KBP Biosciences was represented by Goodwin Procter LLP, and Novo Nordisk was represented by Covington & Burling LLP in the transaction. 

Novo Nordisk said the acquisition will not impact its previously shared operating profit outlook for 2023 or the ongoing share buy-back program. The company will fund the acquisition from financial reserves. The firm expects to release its third quarter 2023 financial results Nov. 2. 

Novo Nordisk’s big-name medications – weight loss drug Wegovy and diabetes medication Ozempic – have put the company in the headlines as of late. Over the past year, the drugmaker has faced challenges such as supply shortages because of high demand for the drugs as well as having to take legal action over copycat versions.