A licensing deal with Denmark’s Gubra gives the immunology giant control of an experimental therapy that could compete with drugs from Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly and Zealand.

AbbVie is entering the obesity treatment market with a $2.3bn licensing agreement to acquire global rights to GUB014295, a long-acting amylin analogue developed by Danish biotech Gubra. Announced on 3 March,

Abbvie Inc. is buying into the obesity fray in a potential $1.875 billion development and commercialization agreement with Danish peptide drug discovery specialist Gubra A/S. In addition, there will be a $350 million up-front payment as Abbvie takes over the reins of GUB-014295 (referred to as Gubamy),

AbbVie has signed a licensing deal with Gubra A/S to develop an obesity drug, marking the North Chicago company's first foray into the obesity market.

GUB014295 is a subcutaneously administered long-acting amylin agonist that also stimulates calcitonin receptors, according to AbbVie. Amylin is a hormone that gives a feeling of fullness in the brain that suppresses appetite, reduces food intake, and delays gastric emptying.

The obesity medicine field has gained a new entrant, with AbbVie licensing an experimental drug from a Danish company.

AbbVie ABBV announced that it has entered into a licensing agreement with Denmark-based biotech Gubra for the latter’s experimental obesity drug, GUB014295. This marks the American drugmaker’s foray into the lucrative obesity market.