Novo Nordisk hands over Parkinson’s therapy to Boston-based AI startup

Novo Nordisk A/S has handed over an experimental Parkinson’s disease therapy to Cellular Intelligence, a Boston-based AI startup backed by Mark Zuckerberg. The deal, announced Monday, grants Cellular Intelligence rights to develop and conduct clinical trials for the therapy, which involves transplanting lab-grown dopamine-producing nerve cells into the brain to treat the disease. Novo Nordisk will receive milestone payments and royalties if the treatment succeeds, while also acquiring a stake in the startup. Cellular Intelligence plans to use its AI platform to optimize cell production and predict how minor adjustments affect quality and survival rates. The company expects to begin a mid-stage clinical trial early next year, with data from the trials further refining its AI models. The startup has already opened a lab in Copenhagen and hired former Novo Nordisk employees who previously worked on the project. The partnership marks a shift from traditional pharmaceutical deals, where larger firms typically acquire products from smaller biotechs. Cellular Intelligence has raised over $60 million from investors, including Khosla Ventures and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. Novo Nordisk’s move follows its decision last year to cut its cell-therapy division to focus on obesity and diabetes treatments, including the blockbuster drug Wegovy. The experimental therapy aims to address Parkinson’s by transplanting dopamine-producing cells, a critical neurotransmitter for movement and mood regulation. While no results are yet available from the early clinical trial, Cellular Intelligence CEO Micha Breakstone emphasized the potential of AI to accelerate development and manufacturing. Novo Nordisk’s investment is described as a ‘small strategic commitment’ by Breakstone, though financial details remain undisclosed.