DiMarchi-Founded Companies Acquired

DiMarchi discovered the designer insulin Humalog while at Lilly.

Two Carmel-based companies co-founded by Indiana University chemistry professor Richard DiMarchi have been acquired by Novo Nordisk in Denmark. Calibrium and MB2 focus on developing drug candidates to treat diabetes and related metabolic diseases.

Novo Nordisk says the acquisition will strengthen its portfolio of projects and intellectual property rights in the area of diabetes and obesity. The company says the deal will also help expand its research presence in the United States. Financial terms of the transactions have not been disclosed.

In a release, DiMarchi said, "It’s an honor to join the global Novo Nordisk research community. Their intense focus on metabolic diseases, which over the years has led to numerous breakthrough protein-based medicines, aligns perfectly with my career-long priorities. I’m optimistic that together we can create novel, transformative therapies in the fight against the global epidemic of diabetes and obesity."

DiMarchi is a big name in the areas of chemistry and life science. He co-founded Marcadia Biotech, which was eventually sold to Roche for more than $500 million. He spent more than 20 years at Lilly Research Labs and was inducted last year into the National Inventors Hall of Fame.