Élancé Therapeutics Joins the Race to Develop Next-Generation Obesity Therapies

China-based Harbour BioMed has recently announced the establishment of a new biotechnology company, Élancé Therapeutics. This initiative is focused on developing bispecific antibodies designed to tackle a challenge in next-generation obesity treatments: enabling effective weight loss while simultaneously preserving muscle mass, which has long been a key concern in the field.
The newly formed entity will utilize Harbour BioMed’s proprietary HCAb-based bispecific antibody technology. In addition, it will incorporate the capabilities of the Hu-mAtrIx artificial intelligence system, which its subsidiary, Nona Biosciences, has developed. As outlined in a company statement, Élancé Therapeutics is dedicated to designing innovative therapeutics that will not only enhance weight reduction outcomes but also minimize muscle depletion and ensure the long-term efficacy of treatment interventions.

Jingsong Wang, M.D., Ph.D., who serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Harbour BioMed, underscored the transformative potential of the company’s bispecific antibody approach in redefining strategies for obesity management. “Our bispecific antibody programs enable a new paradigm in obesity treatment by targeting multiple pathways in a precise and effective manner,” Wang stated in the official press release. He further elaborated that the organization is committed to optimizing the effectiveness of treatment regimens while concurrently preserving lean muscle mass and enhancing long-term sustainability of patient outcomes.
Élancé Therapeutics has multiple bispecific antibody candidates that are currently in the preclinical development phase. These therapeutic candidates hold the potential to serve as complementary or alternative options to existing obesity treatment methods. According to the official announcement, these newly developed therapies could function alongside or expand upon existing pharmacological approaches that target the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor, and glucagon (GCG) receptor. However, Harbour BioMed has not yet disclosed the specific amount of funding that has been allocated to support the initial launch and operations of Élancé Therapeutics.
The pursuit of obesity treatments that effectively reduce body weight while minimizing muscle loss has garnered increasing attention from multiple companies operating within the biopharmaceutical sector. Several organizations, including Veru, Altimmune, and Rivus Pharmaceuticals, have reported findings from phase 2 clinical trials suggesting that their respective weight-loss drug candidates may possess the ability to preserve muscle mass. Furthermore, Roche is currently investigating a treatment approach that involves the combination of a dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist, which was acquired from Carmot Therapeutics, along with its proprietary anti-myostatin antibody. The goal of this combination therapy is to counteract the muscle depletion that is commonly associated with the weight reduction process.

Harbour BioMed has previously established another antibody-focused biotech company, HBM Alpha Therapeutics. In a significant financial transaction last month, the company successfully secured a deal valued at up to $395 million in potential milestone-based payments by out-licensing the ex-China rights to a preclinical corticotropin-releasing hormone therapy to an undisclosed partner.