Targeting ‘residual cholesterol,’ the company’s leading program is now in Phase 2 development for adults with dyslipidemia.

Targeting ‘residual cholesterol,’ the company’s leading program is now in Phase 2 development for adults with dyslipidemia.

US biotech Marea Therapeutics announced this week with $190 million in funding as it hopes to accelerate the development of new drugs for cardiometabolic diseases. The company’s approach is to use a lot of human genetics to create new treatments that address the serious problems and diagnoses of these diseases. Marea’s pilot program, currently in Phase 2 clinical trials, is designed to target untreated lipid and cardiovascular risk factors in high-risk patients.

By focusing on the underlying biology of cardiometabolic disease rather than symptom management, Marea focuses on the inability to safely store excess energy, which leads to high atherosclerotic heart disease and diabetes. A key symptom for these conditions is high residual cholesterol, a highly atherogenic lipid that circulates in the blood and is not well targeted by existing treatments.

“Marea aims to change the way to treat cardiometabolic diseases by using a lot of human genetics and the expertise in technical and biological work to pursue clear targets that focus on the center – but not revealed – drivers of cardiometabolic risk,” said Dr. Josh Lehrer, CEO. Mary. “This approach could be the next frontier for patients with cardiometabolic disease that remains at a very high level, despite the availability of these treatments.”

Residual cholesterol, carried by triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, is a major cause of heart disease, independent of common risk factors such as LDL cholesterol, diabetes or the fat. Marea’s lead drug MAR001 is a monoclonal antibody targeting ANGPTL4 that is intended to reduce residual cholesterol by improving lipoprotein lipase (LPL). The company says its approach is supported by human genetics, which has shown that ANGPTL4 inhibition can lead to improved triglyceride distribution, insulin sensitivity, and protection from cardiovascular disease and diabetes. type 2.

Marea said that its clinical trials of MAR001 have shown positive results, including the reduction of triglycerides, cholesterol residues and ectopic fat, as well as improved insulin resistance. The company’s strong Phase 1 results pave the way for the development of its current Phase 2 clinical trials for adults with physical disabilities.

“ANGPTL4 human trials show the ability to reverse the damage to the body responsible for the metabolic syndrome—which is not effectively treated by current treatments including weight loss and LDL cholesterol therapy, ” said Dr Ethan J Weiss, CSO of Marea. “More than five million cardiovascular patients in the US alone have increased residual cholesterol and put themselves at risk for a heart attack. MAR001 has the potential to provide significant benefits in these patients by correcting the use of the body that causes high residual cholesterol and damage to the body.

The company was funded by Third Rock Ventures and boasts an impressive list of investors including Sofinnova Investments, Forbion, Perceptive Xontogeny Venture Fund, venBio, Omega Funds, Alpha Wave Global and Surveyor Capital. The new funding will support the development of MAR001 and other pipeline programs, which have not yet been announced.

“With the first clinical approval, world-class scientific foundations and investors, and a board of directors and leadership, Marea is poised to become the first cardiometabolic disease company,” said Third Rock Ventures’ Jeffrey Tong. “We hope to accelerate a new generation of drugs, including MAR001, to treat untapped key drivers of cardiometabolic disease, potentially providing important new treatments for millions of patients.”