Pharmaceutical company AbbVie (NYSE:ABBV) and Gubra A/S (CPH:GUBRA), a provider of pre-clinical contract research services and peptide-based drug discovery within metabolic and fibrotic diseases, on Monday announced a licence agreement to develop GUB014295, a long-acting amylin analogue for obesity treatment.

The deal enables the integration of Gubra's peptide into AbbVie's global drug development infrastructure. It marks AbbVie's entry into the obesity market.

GUB014295, currently in a Phase 1 clinical trial, targets amylin and calcitonin receptors to suppress appetite and delay gastric emptying. AbbVie will oversee global development and commercialisation.

Gubra will receive an upfront payment of USD350m and may earn up to USD1.875bn in milestone payments, along with tiered royalties on net sales. The agreement is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.

AbbVie CEO Robert A. Michael highlighted the partnership as a strategic step in addressing unmet patient needs and driving long-term growth. Gubra CEO Henrik Blou emphasised that the collaboration would accelerate the drug's development, building on promising Phase 1 trial data.