The 2024 Pathbreakers Program brings together the scientific expertise of Novo Nordisk, via its Bio Innovation Hub, and Portal Innovations to work with US-based biotech startups from pre-seed stage onward that are interested in advancing their work through collaboration. The Pathbreakers Program includes different engagement opportunities for consideration depending on a startup’s stage and research collaboration proposal.

• Portal Innovations Ecosystem Placement: Sponsored by the Novo Nordisk Bio Innovation Hub, receive a one-year placement within one of Portal Innovations’ lab and office spaces in Atlanta, Boston, Houston, or Chicago as well as mentorship from a Novo Nordisk scientist.

• Portal Innovations Venture Capital Investment: Portal Innovations may provide venture investment to applicants that meet requirements and scientific scrutiny independently driven from all Novo Nordisk evaluations pertaining to this call. 

• Partnership with Novo Nordisk: Depending on the startup’s development stage, the soundness and novelty of its value proposition and the technical/strategic fit with Novo Nordisk, it is possible to be considered for a partnership via Novo Nordisk’s Bio Innovation Hub.

Novo Nordisk’s Bio Innovation Hub is most interested in exploring co-creation opportunities with startups that are developing platform technologies with disease agnostic potential or are interested in exploring scientific projects within the cardiometabolic space. Biotechs that have not previously worked within cardiometabolic diseases but are interested in exploring new indications for their technology or platform are encouraged to apply. Further details on the different engagements available and the focus areas can be found by following the Apply Now link.