Antag Therapeutics – a next-generation biopharmaceutical company pioneering novel treatments for obesity – announced the closing of an €80 million Series A funding round. This round was led by Versant Ventures, with participation from Novo Holdings, SR One, Dawn Biopharma (a platform controlled by KKR), Pictet, Longview Ventures (an affiliate of Broadview Ventures), and Export and Investment Fund of Denmark (EIFO).
The funding will support the clinical development of AT-7687, a novel, once-weekly subcutaneous antagonist of the Glucose-Dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide Receptor (GIPR), and also drive the expansion of Antag’s pipeline of monthly injectable therapies.
GLP-1-based therapies have revolutionized obesity management, but for some patients can cause tolerability issues, loss of muscle mass, and suboptimal weight loss. And this highlights the need for complementary pharmacological approaches.
The genetic basis for antagonizing GIPR is clear, and individuals with naturally occurring genetic GIPR variants that reduce their activity have lower BMI and body fat percentages, resulting in a leaner phenotype than those with normal GIPR function. The development of Antag’s lead molecule is rooted in the identification of an endogenous GIPR antagonist by University of Copenhagen professors Jens Holst, renowned for his discovery of GLP-1 and Mette Rosenkilde. Both co-founded Antag and bring extensive expertise in incretin biology spanning decades. Professor Holst also chairs Antag’s scientific advisory board.
AT-7687 is a peptide designed to be co-administrated with current or future obesity therapies, such as GLP-1 medicines, to deliver superior weight loss and metabolic benefits. This flexibility in dosing provides multiple advantages over competing GIPR blockers, such as antibodies directly conjugated to GLP-1. These include the ability to drug each target for maximal efficacy and tolerability optimally. Plus, AT-7687 also can be used as a single agent in the maintenance setting.
In non-human primate studies, AT-7687 plus a GLP-1 produced best-in-industry weight loss. And AT-7687 improved glycemic control and lipid profiles independent of weight changes. Importantly, these benefits were achieved without gastrointestinal side effects.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently accepted Antag’s Investigational New Drug (IND) application for AT-7687, setting the stage for clinical development early next year. The trials will explore the effects of AT-7687 as a monotherapy and in combination with a GLP-1 receptor agonist in obese patients. Antag’s pipeline also includes combinations beyond GLP-1 receptor agonists and a follow-on molecule that enables monthly administration.
KEY QUOTES:
“The backing of such a strong syndicate of global investors is a testament to our pioneering approach to developing novel therapies for patients with obesity. Coupled with our recent IND clearance, this investment allows us to accelerate the development of AT-7687 towards important clinical milestones. We believe our first-in-class peptide’s weight loss profile and flexible dosing will be key drivers of differentiation.”
- Alexander Hovard Sparre-Ulrich, Ph.D., CEO and co-founder of Antag
“Antag’s peptides will have important advantages given their ability to be used alone or optimally combined with other incretin-based agents, in both weekly or monthly formats. GIP receptor antagonism is just beginning to reveal its incredible potential, both in diabetic and non-diabetic obesity, and we are pleased to be at the forefront of this developing field.”
- Alex Mayweg, Ph.D., Managing Director at Versant and an Antag board member
“Novo Holdings was the first investor in Antag and we were excited by great science and a world-renowned founder team. We are proud to close this Series A round, which brings several blue-chip investors on board. This funding marks a pivotal step in advancing Antag’s pipeline, which we are confident could play a crucial role in further improving the lives of people with obesity.”
- Jeroen Bakker, Partner, Seed Investments, Novo Holdings
