PTT-A

Versant Ventures is adding another weight loss startup to its roster of portfolio companies, launching Pep2Tango Therapeutics with a multi-receptor approach to treating obesity. The company's lead candidate targets GLP-1, GIP, amylin, and calcitonin receptors, with preclinical data suggesting a promising strategy to address the rapid muscle wasting seen with existing therapies."There is a critical need to develop safe and highly efficacious drug therapies for obesity that preserve muscle mass," stated Cristina Rondinone, CEO of Pep2Tango. For more, see – Spotlight On: New muscle-preserving therapies emerge as GLP-1 use grows.The company's unimolecular tetra-agonist, she says, differs from current market leaders like Eli Lilly's dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist tirzepatide — marketed for weight loss as Zepbound — thanks to a "balanced ratio of potencies" that not only enhances weight loss, but also leverages amylin to maintain muscle mass and GIP to minimise gastrointestinal issues, while offering the potential for better overall metabolic health.Challenging tirzepatidePreclinical testing in diet-induced obese rats has yielded encouraging results, with Rondinone telling FirstWord that their molecule showed "superior weight loss with nearly complete preservation of lean mass" compared to tirzepatide, along with improved blood lipid profiles, better glycaemic control, and beneficial effects on the liver.Pep2Tango's lead candidate, dubbed PTT-A, is currently in IND-enabling studies, with an anticipated IND submission expected in 2025. Rondinone added that the company expects to achieve over 20% weight loss in humans.Versant is no stranger to backing innovative metabolic disease treatments. Following their investment in SixPeaks Bio's activin receptor-blocking approach in May, Pep2Tango represents another strategic bet in the increasingly competitive obesity landscape.In fact, the VC firm found the company's tetra-agonist approach and data package so "incredibly compelling," they decided to provide all the funding for the round, according to Carlo Rizzuto, managing director at Versant. "We are convinced that [Pep2Tango's] tetra-receptor agonists have best-in-category potential with respect to magnitude and quality of weight loss, as well as improving metabolic and cardiovascular health, that could redefine obesity treatment," he said.Versant is not publicly disclosing how much funding the company has or how long it will last, but Rizzuto said Pep2Tango recently declared a first development candidate and is "funded through significant value inflection points."