Versant Ventures unveils obesity focused Pep2Tango Therapeutics

California-based venture capital firm Versant Ventures yesterday announced the launch of Pep2Tango Therapeutics, a start-up focused on innovative, next-generation weight loss therapies. Proceeds from the significant, undisclosed round will support development of the company’s novel unimolecular tetra-receptor agonist peptides to treat obesity and related conditions.

Versant noted that GLP-1-based therapies have proven efficacy in treating obesity and associated co-morbidities, but come with significant drawbacks. These include sector leaders, Novo Nordisk’s (NOV: N) Wegovy (semaglutide) and Eli Lilly’s (NYSE: LLY) Zepbound (tirzepatide).

The drawbacks of GLP-1s include up to 40% of weight loss from muscle mass reduction, potentially leading to long-term side effects, especially in elderly patients. This limitation, in addition to tolerability issues, reduces the long-term utility of these agents, according to Versant.