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Metsera

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Overview

Metsera, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company at the forefront of developing innovative medicines for obesity and metabolic diseases. Key aspects of the company include: Founding and Financing: Established in 2022 by Population Health Partners and ARCH Venture Partners, Metsera has secured $322 million in funding from prominent healthcare investors, including F-Prime Capital, GV, Mubadala Capital, Newpath Partners, and SoftBank Vision Fund 2. Mission and Portfolio: The company aims to accelerate innovation in weight loss treatments and obesity-related conditions. Metsera's portfolio includes oral and injectable incretin, non-incretin, and combination therapies, backed by a proprietary library of over 20,000 gut hormone peptides and peptide/antibody conjugates. Key Development Programs:

  1. MET-097: A long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist in Phase 1 trials, showing significant weight reduction and potential for monthly dosing.
  2. Dual Amylin/Calcitonin Receptor Agonist (DACRA): Engineered for extended duration of effect.
  3. Unimolecular GGG (GLP-1, GIP, Glucagon): Designed for long-lasting effect and combination with DACRA.
  4. Oral Peptide Delivery Platform: Includes IND-ready candidates and first-in-class oral follow-ons. Clinical Trials: MET-097 has shown promising results in Phase I and Phase IIa trials, demonstrating significant weight loss with good tolerability. Market Position: Metsera is competing with established players like Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, offering potential advantages in dosing frequency and tolerability. Leadership: The company is led by industry veterans, including former executives from The Medicines Company, and boasts a strong scientific team headed by Sir Stephen R. Bloom.

Leadership Team

Metsera's leadership comprises experienced professionals in the biopharmaceutical industry: Executive Team:

  • CEO: As of recent updates, a new CEO has taken over from founding CEO Clive Meanwell, M.D.
  • Clive Meanwell, M.D.: Former CEO and British oncologist with a notable industry track record.
  • Whit Bernard: Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer.
  • Stephen R. Bloom: Senior Vice President of Research and Development, head of drug development at Imperial College London. Key Leaders:
  • Brian Hubbard, Ph.D.
  • John Amatruda, M.D.
  • Christopher Cox
  • Steven Marso, M.D.: Principal author of several papers on semaglutide. Additional Executives:
  • Sheela Kolluri: Senior Vice President and Global Head of Biometrics
  • Virendar Kaushik: Vice President and Project Leader
  • Gbola Amusa: Executive Vice President, Strategic Finance
  • Jason Mallory: Vice President, Clinical Development This diverse team of experts drives Metsera's innovative approaches in obesity and metabolic disease treatments, leveraging their extensive experience in the pharmaceutical industry.

History

Metsera's journey in the biopharmaceutical industry, though recent, has been marked by rapid growth and significant developments: Founding and Funding (2022):

  • Founded by Population Health Partners and ARCH Venture Partners
  • Raised $290 million from leading healthcare investors Leadership and Team:
  • Initially led by CEO Clive Meanwell, a veteran pharmaceutical executive
  • Assembled a team of experienced pharma executives and scientists Portfolio Development:
  • Purpose-built to innovate in obesity and weight loss treatment
  • Developed a broad portfolio of oral and injectable therapies
  • Key programs include GLP-1 receptor agonist, DACRA, and unimolecular GGG agonist Strategic Acquisitions and Partnerships:
  • Acquired U.K.-based biotech Zihipp, gaining access to a vast library of gut hormone peptides
  • Formed a licensing pact with D&D Pharmatech for oral drug technology Clinical Progress:
  • Launched publicly in April 2024
  • Conducted successful Phase 1 trial for MET-097, showing significant weight reduction Future Plans:
  • Advancing MET-097 to Phase IIb trials in Q4 2024
  • Aiming to address comprehensive weight loss therapeutic needs Metsera's rapid progress and innovative approach position it as a significant player in the evolving field of obesity and metabolic disease treatments.

Products & Solutions

Metsera, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, is at the forefront of developing innovative medicines for obesity and metabolic diseases. Their product pipeline includes:

GLP-1 Receptor Agonists

  • MET-097i: Metsera's lead candidate, a fully-biased, once-monthly, ultra-long acting, subcutaneously injectable GLP-1 receptor agonist. In Phase 2a trials, it demonstrated substantial weight loss, with up to 11.3% mean body weight reduction over 12 weeks. MET-097i utilizes Metsera's proprietary HALO™ peptide lipidation platform, enabling a 15-16 day half-life to support monthly dosing.

Dual Amylin/Calcitonin Receptor Agonist (DACRA)

  • A novel DACRA engineered for class-leading duration of effect, designed to be combined with GLP-1 receptor agonists for enhanced therapeutic efficacy.

Unimolecular GGG Analog

  • A unimolecular analog combining GLP-1, GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide), and glucagon, engineered for extended duration and potential combination with DACRA.

Oral Peptide Delivery Platform

  • Includes two IND-ready candidates with potential best-in-class bioavailability, addressing the challenges of oral peptide delivery.

Combination Therapies

  • Various combinations under development, including MET-097i with ultra-long acting amylin analogue MET-233i and other nutrient-stimulated hormone (NuSH) analog peptide injectables.

HALO™ Peptide Lipidation Platform

  • Proprietary technology enabling peptides to bind simultaneously to albumin and drug targets, resulting in extended half-life, titration-free dosing, and improved tolerability. Metsera's comprehensive portfolio aims to offer scalable, sustainable, and personalized interventions for weight loss, weight maintenance, and metabolic disease prevention, addressing the global obesity crisis through innovative therapeutic strategies.

Core Technology

Metsera's innovative approach to developing treatments for obesity and metabolic diseases is built on several key technological pillars:

Proprietary Peptide Library

  • Access to over 20,000 gut hormone peptides and peptide/antibody conjugates, allowing for versatile combinations in drug development.

GLP-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1RAs)

  • Focus on advanced GLP-1RAs, with lead asset MET-097i showing promising results in Phase IIa trials, including significant weight reduction and potential for monthly dosing.

Combination Therapies

  • Development of multi-target treatments, such as dual amylin/calcitonin receptor agonists (DACRA) and unimolecular GGG (GLP-1, GIP, glucagon) analogs, designed to enhance efficacy while minimizing side effects.

Oral Peptide Delivery Platform

  • Innovative platform for oral administration of typically injectable peptides, improving patient experience and compliance.

Long-Acting Injectables

  • Advancement of monthly injectable candidates like MET-097i and MET-233i, aiming to reduce dosing frequency and improve patient outcomes.

Personalized and Sustainable Interventions

  • Strategies for effective weight loss, maintenance, and metabolic disease management, focusing on muscle preservation and improved tolerability.

HALO™ Peptide Lipidation Technology

  • Proprietary platform enabling extended half-life of peptides, supporting less frequent dosing and improved efficacy. Metsera's core technology combines these elements to create a versatile and innovative approach to weight loss and metabolic disease treatments, leveraging a broad portfolio of peptides, combination therapies, and advanced delivery systems.

Industry Peers

Metsera, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on obesity and metabolic diseases, competes in a market with several established players:

Novo Nordisk

  • Market leader known for successful GLP-1 receptor agonists Wegovy and Ozempic
  • Sets high standards in weight-loss drug efficacy and market penetration

Eli Lilly

  • Major competitor with highly effective weight-loss drugs Mounjaro and Zepbound
  • Mounjaro, in particular, serves as a benchmark for new market entrants

Viking Therapeutics

  • Emerging player in the obesity drug market
  • Recently reported promising Phase I data for oral obesity candidate VK2735 Metsera's Competitive Strategy:
  1. Broad portfolio development: Oral and injectable drugs targeting multiple pathways
  2. Focus on GLP-1 receptor agonists and combination therapies
  3. Addressing limitations of current treatments:
    • Reducing muscle mass loss
    • Minimizing side effects
    • Potentially surpassing efficacy of existing market leaders
  4. Leveraging proprietary technologies like HALO™ for extended drug half-life
  5. Developing personalized and sustainable interventions for long-term weight management By focusing on innovation and addressing unmet needs in the market, Metsera aims to carve out a significant position in the competitive landscape of obesity and metabolic disease treatments.

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