Versant Ventures has launched a new biotech startup, Pep2Tango Therapeutics, focused on developing an innovative drug to treat obesity by targeting four different pathways simultaneously. The company’s approach combines GLP-1, GIP, amylin, and calcitonin receptors in a single drug, aiming to offer greater efficacy and reduced muscle loss compared to existing obesity treatments like Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy and Eli Lilly’s Zepbound. Pep2Tango’s preclinical studies suggest that this combination therapy could enhance fat loss while preserving muscle, a challenge with current treatments.
Pep2Tango is entering a highly competitive market, with the obesity drug market predicted to reach $100 billion in the next decade. Many drugmakers are exploring ways to improve upon existing GLP-1-based drugs by focusing on muscle preservation, more convenient delivery methods, or more effective combinations of mechanisms. Pep2Tango’s unique approach has the potential to differentiate it from competitors.
The company’s CEO, Cristina Rondinone, emphasized that combining multiple targets could also help reduce manufacturing costs and improve patient adherence. The startup’s name reflects its belief in the power of combining multiple mechanisms—symbolized by the Argentine tango dance, a passion for Rondinone, who is from Argentina. Pep2Tango’s scientific team includes experienced leaders from AstraZeneca and Amylin Pharmaceuticals, further strengthening the company’s expertise in obesity drug development.
This venture follows Versant’s earlier investment in SixPeaks Bio, which focuses on preserving muscle mass through different mechanisms. Pep2Tango’s first-in-class strategy is poised to make a significant impact on the obesity treatment landscape, addressing the growing demand for effective and sustainable therapies.