DNO ASA, the Norwegian oil and gas operator, has announced its Annual General Meeting (AGM) for 2025, scheduled to take place on 5 June at The National Museum in Oslo. The company has made provisions for remote participation, allowing shareholders to vote electronically in advance or submit a proxy. This move underscores DNO's commitment to accessibility and shareholder engagement amidst its expanding global operations.

In addition to the AGM announcement, DNO has reported a solid first quarter for 2025, with an operating profit of USD 28 million and revenues of USD 188 million. The company's net production saw an eight percent increase, reaching 84,200 barrels of oil equivalent per day. This performance is particularly noteworthy given the transformative USD 1.6 billion acquisition of Norway's Sval Energi Group AS, signaling DNO's strategic pivot towards enhancing its footprint in Norwegian waters.

The company's operational efficiency in Kurdistan has been a highlight, with production in the Tawke license increasing by 11 percent quarter-on-quarter. Despite the challenges posed by the closure of the Iraq-Türkiye export pipeline, DNO has managed to stabilize and even increase production from existing wells through innovative rigless interventions. This achievement not only demonstrates DNO's resilience but also its ability to maintain profitability with minimal investment.

Looking ahead, DNO Executive Chairman Bijan Mossavar-Rahmani emphasized the company's intention to replicate its Middle Eastern efficiencies in Norway. With the Sval acquisition expected to close around midyear, DNO is poised to embrace the 'faster, cheaper, better' ethos of the early Norwegian oil industry. This strategic direction, coupled with the company's strong Q1 performance, positions DNO as a formidable player in the global oil and gas sector.

In a landmark deal that underscores the growing importance of metabolic disease treatments, Novo Nordisk has announced a $2.2 billion collaboration with U.S.-based Septerna. This partnership aims to discover, develop, and commercialize oral small-molecule medicines targeting obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other cardiometabolic conditions. The agreement, which includes over $200 million in upfront and near-term milestone payments to Septerna, marks a significant step forward in the quest for innovative treatments in a rapidly expanding market.

The collaboration will initially focus on four development programs aimed at select G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) targets, including the GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon receptors. GPCRs play a crucial role in cellular communication and are involved in nearly every organ system of the human body. By leveraging Septerna's proprietary Native Complex Platform™, the companies hope to unlock new therapeutic possibilities for patients worldwide.

Marcus Schindler, Novo Nordisk's Chief Scientific Officer, highlighted the strategic importance of this partnership, noting the company's commitment to broadening its pipeline across various targets and modalities. This deal not only enhances Novo Nordisk's position in the obesity and diabetes markets but also provides Septerna with the resources and operational flexibility to advance its portfolio of GPCR-targeted programs.

As the pharmaceutical industry continues to focus on metabolic diseases, this collaboration between Novo Nordisk and Septerna represents a significant investment in the future of healthcare. With the deal expected to close in the second quarter of 2025, the medical community eagerly anticipates the potential breakthroughs that may emerge from this partnership. The agreement also underscores the increasing value of strategic alliances in accelerating the development of life-saving therapies.