April 21 Quick Takes: $50M for Sense Biodetection to expand portfolio; plus semaglutide, Porton, Seed Health, Rinri, Mestag, Lyndra
A $50 million series B round led by Koch Disruptive Technologies positions Sense Biodetection Ltd. to launch its Veros COVID-19 molecular test and build out a portfolio of tests for other indications via the U.K. molecular diagnostics company’s rapid molecular amplification technology. The B round also included participation from Sense’s existing investors Cambridge Innovation Capital, Earlybird Health, Jonathan Milner and Mercia Asset Management.
Novo Nordisk A/S (CSE:NOVO B; NYSE:NVO) is looking to add an oral option to its obesity portfolio as next half the Danish pharma plans to start a Phase III trial of 50 mg oral semaglutide to treat obesity. A subcutaneous once-weekly formulation of 2.4 mg semaglutide is under review in the U.S. and Europe in the indication. Novo already markets GLP-1 agonist Saxenda liraglutide to treat obesity, while oral semaglutide 7 mg or 14 mg is marketed as Rybelsus to treat Type II diabetes...