We are committed to driving change in metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and metabolic-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) by tackling this urgent and multifaceted global health challenge through innovative approaches, including digital solutions.
Over five million people in Australia are estimated to be living with MAFLD1, but many people living with the disease may be unaware, as few to no symptoms present themselves in its initial stage. MAFLD can progress to its more advanced form MASH and may lead to serious liver complications such as cirrhosis and cancer2,3. People with MASH often have cardiometabolic conditions including obesity and type 2 diabetes4, highlighting the need to consider screening for MAFLD and MASH in these patients5.
We are looking for digital solutions active in Australia that can drive change for people living with or at-risk of MASH by positively impacting the patient care pathway with a focus on early screening and optimising referrals.
Many healthcare professionals managing patients with cardiometabolic diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes, may be unaware of their patient’s risk of liver disease. Likewise, as MASH is often asymptomatic in its earlier stages, many patients may be unaware of their risk or condition until it has reached an advanced state.
Due to the health system structure, limited time with patients, and no indicated treatment options in Australia, healthcare professionals may not prioritise liver screenings among other comorbid disease screenings.
There is a lack of a defined multidisciplinary clinical care pathway to provide guidance to healthcare professionals, especially General Practitioners, on when to refer their patients for MASH diagnosis and management.
The selected start-up will collaborate with Novo Nordisk, a global healthcare pharmaceutical company and a leader in cardiometabolic disease management. You will be in contact with our medical, marketing and digital teams in Australia during the pilot implementation.
Get exposure to the network of Novo Nordisk Digital Innovation Hubs in the most innovative health-tech ecosystems around the world.
This invitation is extended to applicant start-up companies (start-up) by Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd (Novo Nordisk) for the purpose of exploring potential collaboration opportunities. The submission does not guarantee acceptance as a collaborator of choice or the receipt of any monetary compensation.
Submissions should be in accordance with the instructions provided but may also include an overview of the start-up's product or service, their team, and their vision for potential collaboration.
By making any submission, the start-up acknowledges that any intellectual property shared remains their own. However, they grant Novo Nordisk the right to review and consider the submitted materials for potential collaboration.
Novo Nordisk will handle all submissions with the utmost confidentiality and will not disclose any information to third parties without the start-up's consent. The start-up accepts and agrees that Novo Nordisk may share the submission with other related entities across the world for the purpose of potential collaborations.
While Novo Nordisk will review all submissions, we are not obligated to enter into any collaboration agreement with any submitting start-up.
Start-ups will be contacted if there is an interest in further discussions. However, due to the volume of submissions, we may not be able to respond to all entries.
This invitation does not imply any financial commitment or promise of funding to the submitting start-up.
Submissions must be received by the specified deadline to be considered.
By submitting, start-ups agree that any disputes will be governed by the laws of New South Wales and Novo Nordisk reserve the right to amend or modify these terms and conditions at any time and will provide notice of such changes, including termination of the Metabolic Liver Disease Fast Track Innovation Program.
Any information or submission will be for the purpose of the Metabolic Liver Disease Fast Track Innovation Program and handed in accordance with the Novo Nordisk Privacy Policy subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of its courts.
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Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd, Level 10, 118 Mount Street, North Sydney, NSW, 2060. ABN 40 002 879 996.
Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd is the Australian affiliate of Novo Nordisk, a leading global healthcare company founded in 1923. Our purpose is to drive change to defeat diabetes and other serious chronic diseases such as obesity and rare blood and endocrine disorders. We do so by pioneering scientific breakthroughs, expanding access to our medicines, and working to prevent and ultimately cure disease. Novonordisk.com.au
Novo Nordisk Customer Care Centre (Australia) 1800 668 626. www.novonordisk.com.au.
Date of preparation: April 2024. AU24SN00003
The Novo Nordisk Digital Innovation Hub, in partnership with Novo Nordisk A/S and Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd, are looking for digital solutions that can drive change for people living with or at risk of fatty-liver disease by positively impacting the patient treatment path with a focus on early screening and referral. Please reach out to Natasha Sim, Digital Innovation Hub Analyst (dih_singapore@novonordisk.com) for any questions regarding the Metabolic Liver Disease Fast Track Innovation Program.
Adams LA et al. J Gastro & Hepatology. 2020; doi10.1111/jgh.15009
Younossi Z et al. Clin Gastrolenterol Hepatol 2018;17:748–55
Marengo et al. Clin Liver Dis. 2016 May;20(2):313-24
Cariou B, et al. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2021.May;23(5):1069-1083
Abeysekera KWM et al. Lancet Gastroenterol & Hepatol 202 Jan;9(1):83-91