In a significant stride for the field of obesity therapeutics, Antag Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company at the cutting edge of treatment innovation, has secured €80 million in Series A financing. This funding round, led by Versant Ventures with support from prominent investors including Novo Holdings, SR One, Dawn Biopharma, Pictet, Longview Ventures, and the Export and Investment Fund of Denmark (EIFO), underscores the growing recognition of Antag’s work in developing novel therapies for obesity. The capital infusion will drive the clinical development of their lead candidate, AT-7687, while also expanding the company’s pipeline of advanced injectable treatments.
Obesity has become one of the most pressing global health challenges, affecting more than 650 million adults worldwide and contributing to a host of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers. Beyond its individual toll, obesity places a tremendous burden on healthcare systems, with estimated costs running into trillions of dollars annually. Despite its multifactorial nature—encompassing genetic, metabolic, and environmental factors—effective, long-term treatment options have historically been limited, creating an urgent need for new therapeutic strategies.
In recent years, GLP-1 receptor agonists have emerged as a breakthrough in obesity management, offering significant weight-loss benefits by suppressing appetite and improving glycemic control. Drugs like semaglutide and tirzepatide have rapidly gained traction, driven by compelling clinical data. However, while these treatments have transformed the field, they are not without limitations. Many patients experience side effects such as nausea and vomiting, and some fail to achieve optimal weight loss. Furthermore, concerns about the potential for muscle mass loss highlight the need for complementary or alternative therapies.
At the heart of Antag’s mission lies developing complementary approaches, addressing the limitations of existing treatments while advancing the understanding of obesity biology. Their lead candidate, AT-7687, offers a novel mechanism targeting the Glucose-Dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide Receptor (GIPR). Genetic studies have illuminated the role of GIPR antagonism, revealing that individuals with natural mutations reducing GIPR activity tend to have lower body mass indexes and fat percentages, leading to a leaner phenotype. Antag's peptide-based approach builds on these insights, aiming to replicate this genetic advantage pharmacologically.
AT-7687, designed as a once-weekly subcutaneous injection, showcases flexibility and innovation. It can be co-administered with existing GLP-1 therapies, enabling a synergistic approach that maximizes weight loss and metabolic benefits while minimizing side effects. Unlike antibody-based GIPR blockers tethered to GLP-1, AT-7687’s independent targeting of GIPR offers a tailored dosing strategy that enhances both efficacy and tolerability. Furthermore, its potential as a standalone therapy in maintenance phases broadens its clinical applicability.
The origins of this therapy trace back to the University of Copenhagen, where Professors Jens Holst and Mette Rosenkilde identified an endogenous GIPR antagonist that laid the foundation for AT-7687. Professor Holst, a globally recognized authority who discovered GLP-1, and Professor Rosenkilde co-founded Antag, bringing decades of expertise in incretin biology to the venture. Their leadership continues to guide the scientific direction of the company.
Preclinical studies of AT-7687 have delivered promising results. In non-human primates, the combination of AT-7687 and a GLP-1 receptor agonist yielded exceptional weight-loss outcomes, surpassing benchmarks in the field. Additionally, AT-7687 demonstrated significant improvements in glycemic control and lipid profiles independent of weight changes, without the gastrointestinal side effects that often accompany obesity treatments.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s acceptance of Antag’s Investigational New Drug (IND) application marks a pivotal milestone. Clinical trials are set to commence early next year, aiming to evaluate AT-7687 both as a monotherapy and in combination with GLP-1 receptor agonists. Antag is also advancing a broader pipeline, including innovative combination therapies and a next-generation molecule designed for monthly administration.
For the millions of people grappling with obesity, these developments have profound implications. For many patients, obesity is not a matter of simple lifestyle adjustments; it is a complex, chronic disease influenced by intricate biological mechanisms. As the field continues to expand with the success of GLP-1 drugs and now GIPR antagonists, there is hope that these medications will not only enhance weight-loss outcomes but also reduce obesity-related complications and improve overall health quality.
Alexander Hovard Sparre-Ulrich, Ph.D., Antag’s CEO and co-founder, emphasized the significance of this funding round. “The support from such a distinguished group of investors reflects the strength of our science and our commitment to addressing unmet needs in obesity management. With this funding, we are well-positioned to accelerate AT-7687’s development and move closer to delivering transformative solutions for patients.”
Investor confidence in Antag’s vision is evident. Alex Mayweg, Ph.D., Managing Director at Versant Ventures, highlighted the potential of GIPR antagonism as a frontier in obesity therapeutics. “Antag is pioneering a novel approach that complements existing treatments while offering flexible and effective solutions for a wide range of patients.”
Jeroen Bakker, Partner at Novo Holdings, echoed this sentiment, praising the company’s strong scientific foundation and collaborative leadership. “Antag’s progress represents a pivotal step in advancing obesity treatment, and we are proud to support this innovative endeavor.”
As Antag Therapeutics moves forward, the biopharma community watches closely. With a visionary scientific team, robust investor backing, and a compelling therapeutic platform, Antag stands at the forefront of a field dedicated to improving the lives of those struggling with obesity.
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