OrsoBio secures funding for obesity research

OrsoBio, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, recently raised $67 million in an oversubscribed Series B financing round to fast-track the development of its mitochondrial protonophore portfolio aimed at treating obesity and related metabolic disorders.

The funding round saw joint leadership from Ascenta Capital and Woodline Partners, with significant contributions from existing investors such as Samsara Biocapital, Enavate Sciences, and Longitude Capital. As part of the financing, Ascenta Capital co-founder and managing partner Evan Rachlin has joined OrsoBio's board of directors.

The newly secured capital will be directed towards advancing OrsoBio’s mitochondrial protonophore portfolio, which has shown promising results in preclinical studies. Mitochondrial protonophores have been found to directly boost energy expenditure, making them a potential complement to the metabolic benefits provided by glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs).

OrsoBio is currently conducting a 12-week Phase I clinical trial for TLC-6740, an oral, liver-targeted mitochondrial protonophore, in patients with obesity. This trial follows a successful Phase I study in healthy subjects, where TLC-6740 was deemed safe and well-tolerated. The earlier study reported dose-dependent increases in energy expenditure and improvements in lipid profiles and insulin resistance markers.

Future clinical plans for TLC-6740 include Phase Ib and Phase IIa studies, which will target patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes, including those undergoing GLP-1 RA therapy. These studies aim to further validate the efficacy and safety of TLC-6740 in more complex patient populations.

Looking ahead to 2025, OrsoBio intends to complete IND-enabling studies for two additional novel protonophores, TLC-1180 and TLC-1235. TLC-1180 is a potent mitochondrial protonophore designed for weekly oral or subcutaneous administration. On the other hand, TLC-1235 is a controlled-release mitochondrial protonophore that has demonstrated metabolic benefits across various models and species.

Mani Subramanian, the founder and CEO of OrsoBio, expressed gratitude for the support from new and existing investors. He emphasized that the capital will allow the company to continue advancing its portfolio of mitochondrial protonophores and potentially other therapies to combat obesity and related diseases. Subramanian also highlighted the potential future role of protonophores in combination with GLP-1 RA-based regimens, believing that the financing will help build the scientific and clinical groundwork necessary to support these combinations.

In summary, OrsoBio’s recent financial boost will expedite the development of innovative treatments for obesity and associated metabolic disorders, with several promising protonophores already showing significant preclinical and early clinical success. The company’s strategic focus on mitochondrial protonophores positions it well to contribute to the evolving landscape of obesity treatment.