BioMed X, an independent biomedical research institute based in Heidelberg, Germany, announced a new collaboration with Novo Nordisk to tackle one of the pharmaceutical industry's most persistent challenges: the efficient oral delivery of therapeutic peptides. The partnership, announced on August 19, 2025, brings together BioMed X's innovative research platform with Novo Nordisk's expertise in chronic disease treatment to develop breakthrough drug delivery technologies.
Targeting Critical Drug Delivery Challenges
The joint research project focuses on developing novel oral formulation technologies that enable site-specific, prolonged retention of peptide drugs in the lower small intestine. This approach represents a significant departure from conventional oral peptide formulations, which have historically struggled with poor bioavailability and inconsistent drug release profiles.
The collaboration aims to overcome key limitations that have plagued oral peptide delivery, including enhancing bioavailability and achieving continuous release without compromising gastrointestinal safety. These challenges have long prevented many promising peptide-based therapies from reaching their full therapeutic potential when administered orally.
Global Research Initiative
As part of this collaboration, BioMed X is launching a worldwide call for scientific talent, inviting researchers to submit project proposals by October 12, 2025. Selected scientists will join the Heidelberg-based team to work on this breakthrough drug delivery technology, combining global expertise with local research infrastructure.
The research initiative leverages BioMed X's unique model of combining global crowdsourcing with local incubation of research talent. According to the institute, this approach allows them to "solve the biggest challenges in biomedical research" by recruiting early-career scientists from leading institutions worldwide and pairing them with pharmaceutical industry support.
Strategic Partnership Foundation
BioMed X operates at the interface between academia and industry, conducting biomedical research and drug discovery across oncology, immunology, neuroscience, platform technologies, and artificial intelligence. The institute maintains sites in Heidelberg, Germany, New Haven, Connecticut, and XSeed Labs in Ridgefield, Connecticut, along with a worldwide network of partner locations.
Novo Nordisk, founded in 1923 and headquartered in Denmark, brings decades of experience in addressing serious chronic diseases, particularly building on its heritage in diabetes treatment. The company's mission focuses on "pioneering scientific breakthroughs, expanding access to medicines, and working to prevent and ultimately cure disease."
Research Methodology and Approach
The collaboration emphasizes what BioMed X describes as "free, creative, and curiosity-driven research combined with a solid validation of results, timelines, and deliverables." This methodology aims to advance translational biomedicine by leveraging synergies and fostering cross-pollination across scientific disciplines.
The partnership represents a strategic alignment between BioMed X's research capabilities and Novo Nordisk's clinical development expertise, potentially accelerating the translation of innovative oral peptide delivery technologies from laboratory concepts to clinical applications.
