Halia Therapeutics Wins Novo Nordisk Golden Ticket

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The Novo Nordisk Golden Ticket­–Biolabs European Award is presented to a biotech company that is advancing promising work in the weight-loss and cardio health fields.¹ In early March of this year, Halia Therapeutics announced that it won the award, granting it access to a variety of resources, including access to state-of-the-art laboratory space in Heidelberg or Paris.

Halia won the award for its work with HT-6184, an inflammasome inhibitor that targets inflammation associated with obesity, metabolic dysfunction, and other related diseases.

In a press release, Halia Therapeutics CEO David J. Bearss said, “Receiving the Novo Nordisk Golden Ticket is a significant milestone for Halia Therapeutics. This award provides valuable resources to accelerate our research and validates our approach to tackling chronic inflammation and obesity-related diseases. With access to BioLabs' premier facilities and mentorship from Novo Nordisk, we are in a stronger position to advance HT-6184 toward clinical development."

Earlier this year, Halia Therapeutics announced additions to its leadership team.² Dr. Margit Janat-Amsbury, MD, PhD, was promoted to chief scientific officer while Gary Sabin joined the company’s board of directors. In addition, Tracey Clayton was named vice president of program management and clinical operations while Stephen Anthony, DO, was named senior vice president of clinical development.

In a press release issued at the time, Bearss said, “Today marks a significant milestone in Halia's journey. Gary Sabin's addition to our board and the appointments of Tracey Clayton and Stephen Anthony to our Clinical Operations team bolster our capabilities in achieving our strategic objectives. Additionally, Margit Janat-Amsbury's promotion reflects her exceptional contributions to our science and innovation. These leadership changes ensure Halia is well-positioned to deliver on our mission of transforming lives through developing groundbreaking therapies targeting chronic inflammation for multiple diseases."

In October of last year, Bears was named an honoree of the 2024 Pharmavoice 100 list in the standout leaders category.³ At the time, Bearss said, “So many conditions have been tied to chronic inflammation and our hope at Halia Therapeutics is that the compounds we have developed will combat these illnesses to improve patient care and quality of life. As someone who has spent more than twenty years in both academic and industry fields, my advice is to keep plugging away at the science driving discovery, because you never know when a big breakthrough might happen."

In September of last year, Halia announced the results of pre-clinical research into HT-6184 combined with semaglutide.⁴ The study suggested that the combination of the two medications could help lead to a reduction of body fat in lab mice.

At the time, Bearss said, “These preclinical findings are truly exciting, showcasing HT-6184's potential as a game-changing therapy for obesity. Combining HT-6184 with semaglutide enhances weight loss and preserves lean muscle mass—a crucial factor for overall metabolic health. These results bring us closer to a treatment that addresses the complex biology of obesity more holistically."

SOURCES

1. Halia Therapeutics Awarded Novo Nordisk Golden Ticket to Advance Obesity and Inflammation Research. Halia Therapeutics. March 11, 2025. Accessed March 21, 2025. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/halia-therapeutics-awarded-novo-nordisk-golden-ticket-to-advance-obesity-and-inflammation-research-302396740.html
2. Halia Therapeutics Strengthens Leadership and Clinical Operations Team. Halia Therapeutics. January 6, 2025. Accessed March 21, 2025. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/halia-therapeutics-strengthens-leadership-and-clinical-operations-team-302342474.html
3. PharmaVoice Recognizes Halia Therapeutics CEO David Bearss as One of the 100 Standout Leaders in the Life Sciences Industry. Halia Therapeutics. October 8, 2024. Accessed March 21, 2025. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pharmavoice-recognizes-halia-therapeutics-ceo-david-bearss-as-one-of-the-100-standout-leaders-in-the-life-sciences-industry-302268432.html
4. Halia Therapeutics Reveals Promising Preclinical Obesity Data: HT-6184 and Semaglutide Combination Enhances Weight Loss and Preserves Lean Muscle Mass. Halia Therapeutics. September 23, 2025. Accessed March 21, 2025. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/halia-therapeutics-reveals-promising-preclinical-obesity-data-ht-6184-and-semaglutide-combination-enhances-weight-loss-and-preserves-lean-muscle-mass-302254759.html