Another obesity contender launches, with $65 million

29 January 2025

Emerging from stealth, biopharma start-up Helicore Biopharma will get started with $65 million from a series A round co-led by Versant Ventures and OrbiMed.

The firm is working on a first-in-class GIP antagonist for obesity, HCR-188. The monoclonal antibody is designed to block a gut hormone involved in regulating metabolism.

Unlike receptor-based approaches taken by some competitors, Helicore’s therapy binds to the GIP ligand itself. The company claims this mechanism could provide broader inhibition, including in the central nervous system, which could enhance weight loss outcomes.

This article is accessible to registered users, to continue reading please register for free.  A free trial will give you access to exclusive features, interviews, round-ups and commentary from the sharpest minds in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology space for a week. If you are already a registered user please login. If your trial has come to an end, you can subscribe here.

Login to your account

Become a subscriber

 

£820

Or £77 per month

Subscribe Now
  • Unfettered access to industry-leading news, commentary and analysis in pharma and biotech.
  • Updates from clinical trials, conferences, M&A, licensing, financing, regulation, patents & legal, executive appointments, commercial strategy and financial results.
  • Daily roundup of key events in pharma and biotech.
  • Monthly in-depth briefings on Boardroom appointments and M&A news.
  • Choose from a cost-effective annual package or a flexible monthly subscription
The Pharma Letter is an extremely useful and valuable Life Sciences service that brings together a daily update on performance people and products. It’s part of the key information for keeping me informed

Chairman, Sanofi Aventis UK

Companies featured in this story

More ones to watch >


Today's issue

Company Spotlight





More Features in Biotechnology