Firm faucets into Pfizer’s Boulder group because it targets weight problems and metabolic issues by way of incretins and different class B GPCRs.
Biotech startup Ambrosia Biosciences (no, not that Ambrosia) has emerged with a $16 million Collection A financing to develop new remedies for weight problems and metabolic issues. Whereas info on the corporate’s method is restricted, its preliminary plan is to “uncover and develop novel orally delivered, small molecule-based therapies focusing on incretins and different class B GPCRs.”
Incretins and G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) play a central function in regulating metabolic processes, together with glucose and vitality stability, that are crucial within the growth and development of weight problems. Most likely probably the most well-known class B GPCR is glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which has gained appreciable consideration for its function in weight administration and diabetes prevention (and potentially many other conditions).
Following the success of medicine that inhibit GLP-1, comparable to semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy), Ambrosia seems to be the newest participant to enter the GPCR enviornment.
“Whereas it is a very energetic area, there may be vital science but to be understood and loads of alternative to enhance upon current GLP-1 primarily based medication,” stated Nick Traggis, president and Founding father of Ambrosia, in a press release.
The brand new funding was led by BVF Companions and Boulder Ventures and can be used to scale up Ambrosia’s drug discovery packages and laboratory operations in Colorado. The corporate seems to have taken benefit of the latest closure of Pfizer’s R&D facility in Boulder – the pharma big moved into town in 2019 when it acquired Array BioPharma however introduced that it was shuttering its operations earlier this 12 months.
“Array BioPharma was among the many finest small molecule drug discovery groups on the planet,” stated Boulder Ventures’ Kyle Lefkoff, who additionally serves as govt chairman of Ambrosia. “With the latest shut down of the Pfizer/Array R&D facility right here in Boulder, we have now re-assembled the Array medicinal chemistry group at Ambrosia to use that very same experience to weight problems.”
