Despite securing a partnership valued at up to $2.1 billion, Vivtex Therapeutics is continuing to prioritize internal research and organizational growth, according to CEO Thomas von Erlach, Ph.D. The company, known for its work in oral drug delivery, is advancing its own pipeline while expanding operations and staff.
In February, Vivtex entered into a collaboration with Novo Nordisk aimed at developing next-generation oral metabolic therapies. The agreement builds on Vivtex’s capability to analyze the gastrointestinal tract to improve drug absorption, making it a newly sought-after partner for drugmakers aiming to develop oral metabolic and autoimmune therapies.
Von Erlach stated in a March interview that while the Novo Nordisk deal represents a significant milestone, it does not define the company’s long-term objectives. The collaboration is one of several Vivtex has in the works, but it is the first—and so far only—public partnership for the company, which spun out of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology laboratory of Robert Langer, Ph.D. These partnerships have enabled Vivtex to reach profitability early, avoiding a large fundraise and any debt. Without pressure from investors, the company has greater flexibility in how it grows, the CEO said.
Prior to the Novo agreement, Vivtex had already planned to expand its physical footprint. The partnership reinforced its transition from an incubator in Dorchester to a 10,000-square-foot facility in Cambridge, with the option to expand further. The Boston Globe reported last month that there is still 16 million square feet of lab space available in Boston, and while the vacancies are a headache for developers, the oversupply has allowed growing companies like Vivtex to take advantage of lower rents.
The company is also increasing its workforce, with plans to nearly double its headcount to just under 40 employees across Boston and Switzerland. While some of the hiring is linked to the Novo collaboration, the company remains focused on strengthening its platform and developing proprietary drug candidates independent of that deal.
Although the company has multiple revenue-generating partnerships and could pursue additional deals, von Erlach indicated that expanding partnerships aggressively is not part of its strategy. He stated, “We don’t want an army of salespeople, and we’re not a service provider,” adding that such collaborations take years and that there are limits to how many can be undertaken. He also said the company has a more scientific mindset and wants to focus on its research and development work.
Vivtex is currently working on eight partnered research and development programs. Its most advanced candidate is in a phase 1 clinical trial for autoimmune conditions. Other partnered programs focus on metabolic and autoimmune candidates at research and preclinical stages. In addition, the company has two internal programs in early research with undisclosed indications.
Von Erlach pointed to broader developments in oral therapeutics, noting increased activity following injectable treatments in obesity and type 2 diabetes, including oral alternatives such as Novo’s Wegovy pill and Eli Lilly’s orforglipron. He also identified autoimmune disorders, genetic therapies, and orphan diseases as areas where oral treatments could expand, particularly for conditions that currently require infusions.
He further emphasized that oral therapeutics could improve medication adherence and effectiveness. Improving absorption may reduce the amount of active pharmaceutical ingredient required, making treatments both more efficient and potentially more cost-effective.
Details of the Partnership
The collaboration between Vivtex and Novo Nordisk focuses on developing next-generation oral biologic medicines for obesity and diabetes. Under the deal, Vivtex will provide its proprietary oral drug-delivery technology, while Novo Nordisk will lead global development and commercialization.
Vivtex is eligible to receive up to $2.1 billion through upfront payments, research funding, milestones, and royalties on future product sales.
How Vivtex Is Expanding R&D
With fresh capital and strategic backing, Vivtex is expanding its R&D infrastructure to accelerate innovation. The company’s platform integrates advanced screening systems, computational modeling, and AI-driven analytics to improve oral delivery of biologic drugs.
This expansion allows Vivtex to tackle one of the biggest challenges in medicine—transforming injectable biologics into effective oral therapies.
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