Pioneer Group has teamed up with global healthcare company Novo Nordisk to launch a ‘Golden Ticket’ programme designed to help accelerate innovations in cardiometabolic health.

The Golden Ticket programme is aimed at early-stage biotech companies focused on novel drug targets and transformational medicines in cardiometabolic diseases, rare blood and rare endocrine disorders.

Ayokunmi Ajetunmobi, Head of Ventures at Pioneer Group, commented: “We are delighted to launch this partnership with Novo Nordisk, which provides a fantastic opportunity for science and technology founders. With the combined benefit of Pioneer’s cutting-edge facilities, support networks and resources, as well as Novo Nordisk’s expertise in cardiometabolic disease drug discovery and development, this Golden Ticket programme has the potential to significantly advance breakthrough therapies for the benefit of patients globally.”

Pioneer Group and Novo Nordisk want to hear from science and technology founders, as well as innovators from established businesses who are creating approaches for cardiometabolic disease in the following areas:

  • Diabetes – Efficacy beyond blood glucose lowering, restoring insulin resistance and regenerating and disease modifications.
  • Obesity – Enhancing energy expenditure, modulating hedonic eating behaviour, and modulating counter-regulatory mechanism.
  • Cardiovascular disease – Atherosclerosis beyond Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) and Triglycerides (TG) lowering, precision-medicine heart failure, disease-modification for HF and cardiomyopathy, and resistant hypertension and unstable angina.
  • Metabolic disease co-morbidities and rare sisease – MASH (metabolic dysfunction associated steatohepatitis), chronic kidney disease, rare, non-malignant haematology conditions, and rare endocrine disorders.
  • Drug discovery and enabling technology – Drug discovery and enabling technology in the previous stated therapeutic areas.
The prize

The winning company will receive a 12-month rent-free incubation space at one of the following Pioneer locations: Victoria House London, Cherrywood Campus Dublin, BioCity Glasgow or BioCity Nottingham.

They will also gain access to Pioneer’s Venture Programmes and mentoring and support from Pioneer’s Expert Network and Novo Nordisk’s drug discovery and development experts.

Daniel Timmermann, VP of Innovation Outreach at Novo Nordisk added: “The UK is home to several world-leading universities, harbours a strong entrepreneurial culture and a robust investor community. These elements together form the foundation for a life science entrepreneurship ecosystem where breakthrough medicines of the future are likely to be discovered. We are excited to engage with the UK start-up/early biotech community in close partnership with Pioneer Group, in our own pursuit of novel therapies for people living with cardiovascular diseases.”

Entries to the Golden Ticket competition will close on 15 November 2024. All entries will be reviewed by the Pioneer and Novo Nordisk selection committee, and shortlisted candidates will be invited to a virtual pitching event. The Golden Ticket winner will be announced during the first week of December, with the potential for the winner to move into their chosen incubator space in January 2025.

Learn more and apply.

Diana Spencer, Senior Digital Content Editor, DDW