Novo Nordisk Foundation’s $260M Initiative Targets Enhanced Respiratory Vaccines

In a major move, the Novo Nordisk Foundation is allocating $260 million to pioneer new or improved vaccines for severe respiratory diseases like tuberculosis (TB) and influenza. This global initiative, developed in collaboration with the University of Copenhagen, focuses on creating immunity in the airway to prevent airborne infections, as announced in a press release on December 18.

Envisioning possible advancements, the Novo Nordisk Foundation Initiative for Vaccines and Immunity (NIVI) is set to initiate its preliminary research endeavors focusing on vaccine candidates for tuberculosis (TB), influenza, and Group A Streptococcus. The existing TB vaccine fails to safeguard against lung disease in adolescents and adults, and flu shots offer only transient protection. Furthermore, no licensed vaccine currently exists for Group A Streptococcus.

The success of this initiative holds the promise not only to curb respiratory infections but also to address the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance, exacerbated by the overuse of antibiotics for airway infections.

CEO Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, Ph.D., envisions NIVI’s impact extends far beyond Denmark, with plans to expand globally and tackle the millions of annual respiratory-related deaths worldwide.

The NIVI initiative consists of two entities: the research entity, named the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Vaccines and Immunity (NCVI), and a limited liability company called the Novo Nordisk Foundation Vaccine Accelerator (NVAC P/S). The latter will support NCVI by licensing and developing vaccine technology, formulating injections, and coordinating clinical tests. Revenue generated by NVAC is planned to be reinvested into NIVI.

Collaboration is at the core of this initiative, with a strong emphasis on partnerships with both public and private entities. Notably, an association with Denmark’s Statens Serum Institut has already been established.

Expected in 2024, the NIVI executive director/CEO will lead both the NCVI and NVAC. The development of NIVI has been spearheaded by vaccinologist Peter Lawætz Andersen, Ph.D., Senior Vice President of Infectious Diseases at the Novo Nordisk Foundation.

The Novo Nordisk Foundation, independently positioned within the broader Novo network, secured over $1 billion in philanthropic grants and investments last year, with expectations to nearly double this figure by the end of the decade. Since taking on the role in 2021, CEO Thomsen has steered various clinically focused initiatives, including funding a major international stem cell medicine research center and establishing the Novo Nordisk Foundation Institute for Vaccines and Immunity.

Thomsen’s mission is to align the foundation’s diverse research work, making it more mission-driven and strategic. Notably, the foundation’s philanthropic nature prioritizes societal impact over profit, with funds sourced from Novo Holdings rather than directly from Novo Nordisk.

Novo Holdings CEO Kasim Kutay emphasizes the potential for increased biotech investments, thanks to the revenue from GLP-1 agonist semaglutide (later branded as Ozempic). This financial influx positions Novo Holdings to “scale up” biotech investment, as highlighted earlier this year.

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