Octagon Therapeutics announced the initiation of a research collaboration with Novo Nordisk focused on inflammatory disease. This multi-year relationship will apply Octagon's functional target discovery approach and novel chemistry strategy in disease areas in which Novo Nordisk has specific expertise. Octagon's lead program selectively targets a population of pathologically activated B cells that contribute to autoimmune diseases like systemic lupus and vasculitis.

This same approach can be applied in other disease areas to target disease-driving processes while sparing healthy immune functioning. A pilot project, through the Novo Nordisk Co-creation Greenhouse accelerator program, demonstrated proof-of-concept in identifying atypical characteristics of other immune cells during disease, leading to the discovery of new therapeutic targets.