Antag Therapeutics has announced the closing of an €80 million Series A financing round to develop AT-7687, a novel therapy targeting obesity. The funding will support clinical trials of AT-7687, both as a monotherapy and in combination with GLP-1 receptor agonists, with trials beginning early next year.
The investment round was led by Versant Ventures, with participation from Novo Holdings, SR One, Dawn Biopharma, and Pictet. This financial backing underscores confidence in Antag's pioneering approach to developing innovative treatments for obesity.
AT-7687: A Novel GIPR Antagonist
AT-7687 is a once-weekly subcutaneous antagonist of the Glucose-Dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide Receptor (GIPR). It is designed to be co-administered with GLP-1 therapies to enhance weight loss and metabolic benefits without the gastrointestinal side effects commonly associated with GLP-1 therapies.
According to Antag, non-human primate studies have demonstrated that AT-7687, when combined with GLP-1, leads to superior weight loss, improved glycemic control, and enhanced lipid profiles compared to GLP-1 therapy alone.
The Science Behind Antag's Approach
Antag’s development is based on the discoveries of University of Copenhagen professors Jens Holst and Mette Rosenkilde, who identified an endogenous GIPR antagonist. This unique approach to obesity treatment involves blocking GIP, a gut hormone that, along with GLP-1, regulates post-meal metabolism, blood sugar, energy balance, and lipid levels.
While some obesity drugs, like Eli Lilly’s Zepbound, activate GIP, AT-7687 blocks it. The optimal approach is still debated, but evidence supports both mechanisms. Some scientists suggest that GIP stimulation may desensitize the protein on pancreatic cells that receives the hormone, effectively deactivating it in a similar way to a blocking drug.
Clinical Trial Plans and Future Development
With FDA approval for AT-7687’s Investigational New Drug application, Antag plans to initiate clinical trials early next year. These trials will explore the effects of AT-7687 as a monotherapy and in combination with GLP-1 receptor agonists in obese patients.
The financing will also support the expansion of Antag’s pipeline, including the development of monthly injectable therapies. The company aims to address the limitations of current GLP-1 therapies, such as tolerability issues and lean mass preservation, by combining GIP antagonism with GLP-1-based agents.
Expert Perspectives
"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," said Alexander Hovard Sparre-Ulrich, PhD, CEO and co-founder of Antag. "Coupled with our recent IND clearance, this investment allows us to accelerate the development of AT-7687 towards important clinical milestones."
Alex Mayweg, PhD, Managing Director at Versant and an Antag board member, added, "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."
