Versant introduces another obesity biotech with “clinic-ready” GIP antibody and a $65M Series A

Versant Ventures established Helicore Biopharma exactly two months after establishing Pep2Tango Therapeutics as its second obesity-centered biotechnology startup.Helicore Biopharma exited stealth mode after securing $65 million from a series A funding round co-led by Versant Ventures and OrbiMed.
According to Helicore, HCR-188 is its candidate antibody that binds directly to glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP) and is at clinical readiness.
Development has reached an incretin conjugate named HCR-488 which will conduct monthly weight loss preclinical trials throughout the second half of 2023. The professional evaluation plan for HCR-588 conjugate program testing will begin next year.
The obesity field now sees GIP as one of the most promising areas for therapeutic discovery. Eli Lilly’s market-leading drug Zepbound works simultaneously through GIP and GLP-1 receptor axis while Versant-backed Pep2Tango depends on a tetra-receptor agonist peptide targeting GIP within its drug development pipeline.

The specific objective of HCR-188 is to function toward GIP molecules instead of activating the GIP receptor. HCR-188 laboratory studies that combined the molecule with GLP-1 hormones indicate a foundational success through increased fat loss without harming lean body mass.
The Jan. 28 release from the biotech company details how its compounds created by Helicore block peripheral GIP and stop its transfer through the central nervous system which potentially enables brain signaling prevention along with leptin sensitivity recovery that helps augment satiety function and decrease food intake while preventing fat accumulation.
Employee Advisory Board President Gerrit Klaerner stated that existing therapies show limited success while failing to address patients’ multifaceted extended healthcare requirements. Our direct GIP targeting approach enabled us to quickly build a unique therapeutic portfolio that promises better treatment benefits from enhanced efficiency combined with improved tolerance along with user-friendly administration methods.

Helicore brought Longitude Capital and Wellington Management into the series A financing while announcing its intention to exploit protein engineering methods operating at the Swiss Roll-foundry of Versant.
Robust evidence supports Helicore’s unique method which shows promise as a therapy solution to provide cardiometabolic advantages with superior weight loss effects and better safety when combined with GLP-1 agents according to Dr. Carlo Rizzuto managing director at Versant and Helicore board member. Such therapeutic sensitivity enables healthcare providers to serve patients whom weight reduction therapies currently miss.