Novo Nordisk, University of Washington start research collaboration

The collaboration aims to understand factors mediating brain control of blood glucose and appetite with the ultimate goal of developing new therapeutic agents for the treatment of diabetes and obesity.

The research will be conducted at UW Medicine’s South Lake Union research campus in Seattle, Washington, and at Novo Nordisk.

Over the next three years, Michael W Schwartz, MD, a University of Washington professor of medicine and his team together with Novo Nordisk researchers will conduct a research programme on the effect of known hormonal factors working in the brain to regulate whole body glucose metabolism and appetite, according to Novo Nordisk.

Schwartz is a world expert in diabetes and obesity with focus on the role of the brain in the regulation of energy balance, insulin resistance and glucose metabolism. His work is continuously published in high-ranking journals and is setting direction for this field of research.

Novo Nordisk senior vice president for global research Peter Kurtzhals said: "We are very happy to enter into a close collaboration with Dr Schwartz. There is a large potential in following this angle for blood glucose and appetite control, and we hope it will bring new agents for the treatment of diabetes and obesity to the patients.

Michael Schwartz said: "We are excited to launch this new collaboration with colleagues at Novo Nordisk. Our collective skill and expertise will help us to both advance our understanding of the brain’s role in blood sugar control and to develop novel approaches to diabetes treatment."