OrsoBio – a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing treatments for obesity and obesity-associated disorders – announced the closing of an oversubscribed $67 million Series B financing. The funding was co-led by new investors Ascenta Capital and Woodline Partners, with significant participation from existing investors Samsara Biocapital, Longitude Capital, Enavate Sciences, NuevaBio, and Eli Lilly.
In connection with the financing, Evan Rachlin, MD, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Ascenta Capital, has joined the OrsoBio Board of Directors. The proceeds from the funding will be used to accelerate the development of the Company’s mitochondrial protonophore portfolio for the treatment of obesity and associated metabolic disorders.
Obesity affects a large percentage of U.S. adults and leads to a range of adverse health outcomes such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). Obesity is usually caused by an imbalance between energy intake and energy expenditure that leads to excess adiposity. Even though glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) have transformed weight management by reducing caloric intake, they may cause loss of lean mass and metabolic adaptations that reduce energy expenditure.
Mitochondrial protonophores increase energy expenditure and may represent the ideal means to complement the metabolic benefits of GLP-1 RAs. And in preclinical studies, mitochondrial protonophores developed by OrsoBio led to weight loss, preserved lean mass, and improved insulin sensitivity. Plus, when these potential therapies were combined with a GLP-1 RA, additional weight and fat mass loss were observed without significant effects on lean mass. These benefits were sustained with continued protonophore therapy following GLP-1 RA discontinuation.
TLC-6740 is a novel, oral, and liver-targeted mitochondrial protonophore under evaluation in a 12-week Phase 1b clinical trial in patients living with obesity (NCT05822544). And in a prior Phase 1 study in healthy subjects, TLC-6740 was safe, well tolerated, and caused dose-dependent increases in energy expenditure and improvements in lipids and markers of insulin resistance. Plus, Additional Phase 1b and Phase 2a studies of TLC-6740 in patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes, including those on a GLP-1 RA, will be initiated in the coming months.
IND-enabling studies for two additional novel protonophores (TLC-1180 and TLC-1235) with unique attributes compared to TLC-6740, such as greater systemic distribution, are expected to be completed in 2025. TLC-1180 is a potent, long-acting mitochondrial protonophore that is suitable for weekly oral or subcutaneous administration. TLC-1235 is a controlled-release mitochondrial protonophore (CRMP) that has shown metabolic benefits across a range of models and species.
OrsoBio’s portfolio of compounds in clinical development also includes TLC-3595 (an ACC2 inhibitor), currently in a Phase 2a study for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, and TLC-2716, a liver X receptor (LXR) inverse agonist currently in a Phase 2a study for severe hypertriglyceridemia and MASH.
KEY QUOTES:
“We welcome Ascenta Capital and Woodline Partners to OrsoBio and appreciate their support and that of our existing investors. These resources enable us to continue advancing our portfolio of mitochondrial protonophores and other potential therapies to address the burden of obesity and obesity-associated diseases. We believe that the future of obesity treatment will include GLP-1 RA-based combinations; this financing will enable us to build the scientific and clinical foundations to support our protonophores as components of these regimens.”
– Mani Subramanian, MD, PhD, CEO and Founder of OrsoBio
“OrsoBio’s novel mechanisms hold promise to enhance weight loss, improve metabolic function, and preserve lean muscle mass. These medicines could one day complement GLP-1 RA-based approaches and expand the long-term health benefits of these treatments. We look forward to partnering with the world-class team at OrsoBio to help bring these extraordinary medicines to patients.”
– Evan Rachlin, MD, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Ascenta Capital
