Leveraging large-scale human genetics to
advance clinical-stage pipeline of first-in-class treatments that
target critical, unaddressed and genetically validated causes of
cardiometabolic diseases
Lead program, MAR001, is a first-in-class
ANGPTL4 inhibitor in Phase 2 clinical development aiming to address
the untreated lipid and metabolic drivers of cardiovascular events
in high-risk patients
Company incubated by Third Rock Ventures with
distinguished scientific founders and leading investor syndicate
including Sofinnova Investments, Forbion, Perceptive Xontogeny
Venture Fund, venBio, Omega Funds, Alpha Wave Global and Surveyor
Capital (a Citadel company)
Marea Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company
incubated by Third Rock Ventures to develop a new generation of
medicines for cardiometabolic diseases, launched today with $190
million in combined Series A and B financings. The Series A round
was led by Third Rock Ventures and the Series B round was led by
Sofinnova Investments and co-led by Forbion, Perceptive Xontogeny
Venture Fund and venBio, with the participation of Alpha Wave
Global, Omega Funds, Surveyor Capital (a Citadel company) and
founding investor Third Rock Ventures. This financing will fund the
company’s MAR001 Phase 2 development plan and further progression
of additional pipeline programs.
“Marea aims to transform the way cardiometabolic diseases are
treated by leveraging large-scale human genetics and expertise in
adipose function and biology to pursue genetically validated
targets focusing on central - but unaddressed - drivers of
cardiometabolic disease risk,” said Josh Lehrer, M.D., M.Phil.,
FACC, chief executive officer of Marea. “This approach could be the
next frontier for patients with cardiometabolic disease who remain
at very high risk, despite currently available therapies.”
“With initial clinical validation, world-class scientific
founders and investors, and an experienced board and leadership
team, Marea is poised to become a premier cardiometabolic disease
company,” said Jeffrey Tong, Ph.D., board member and partner, Third
Rock Ventures. “We aim to accelerate a new generation of medicines,
including MAR001, that treat key unaddressed drivers of
cardiometabolic disease, potentially providing important new
therapeutic options for millions of patients.”
Targeting Cardiometabolic Diseases at their Source
Marea’s lead program, MAR001, is a monoclonal antibody that
targets ANGPTL4, a protein that is highly expressed in adipose
tissue. By inhibiting ANGPTL4 and thereby preferentially augmenting
adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity, MAR001 aims to
lower remnant cholesterol, improve adipose tissue and metabolic
function, and reduce cardiovascular events. Remnant cholesterol is
carried by triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, is highly atherogenic,
and drives cardiovascular events independent of classical risk
factors like LDL cholesterol, diabetes or obesity1. There are
currently no available targeted therapies to lower remnant
cholesterol and improve metabolic function.
Human genetics has demonstrated ANGPTL4 as a highly promising
therapeutic target to lower remnant cholesterol with loss of
function alleles leading to remnant cholesterol clearance, improved
triglyceride distribution, improved insulin sensitivity, and
protection from both cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes all
via an adipose specific mechanism.
Preclinical models with MAR001 demonstrated reduction in
triglycerides, remnant cholesterol and ectopic fat (storage of
triglycerides in tissues other than adipose tissue), and improved
insulin sensitivity. MAR001 has demonstrated strong Phase 1 results
and is in Phase 2 clinical development for adults with metabolic
dysfunction.
“ANGPTL4 human genetics shows the potential to essentially
reverse the adipose dysfunction responsible for the metabolic
syndrome- which is not adequately treated by current therapies
including weight loss and LDL cholesterol treatment. More than five
million cardiovascular patients in the U.S. alone have elevated
remnant cholesterol putting them at risk for a heart attack,” said
Ethan J. Weiss, M.D., co-founder and chief scientific officer of
Marea. “MAR001 has the potential to provide unique benefit to these
patients by correcting the underlying adipose dysfunction leading
to both elevated remnant cholesterol and metabolic
dysfunction.”
“In a Phase 1 trial, a single dose of MAR001
significantly lowered remnant cholesterol levels and improved
metabolic biomarkers. We are very excited about this compound’s
potential,” said Maha Katabi, Ph.D., general partner, Sofinnova
Investments. “Led by renowned experts in genetics and
cardiometabolic diseases, Marea is well positioned to advance
MAR001 and other pipeline programs, potentially unlocking a new era
in cardiovascular care.”
Marea is also advancing a pipeline of additional candidates
aimed to address additional untapped nodes driving cardiometabolic
diseases.
Management and Organization
Marea is led by a dynamic team of scientists and company
builders with deep know-how and experience in human genetics,
adipocyte biology and cardiometabolic disease drug development.
Marea founders include:
- Charles Homcy, M.D., partner emeritus, Third Rock Ventures
- Sir Stephen O’Rahilly, M.D., FRS, professor of clinical
biochemistry and medicine, University of Cambridge
- Joshua Rabinowitz, M.D., Ph.D., professor of chemistry &
integrative genomics, Princeton University
- Ethan J. Weiss, M.D., chief scientific officer
Marea management team members include:
- Christine Garrett, Ph.D., chief strategy officer
- Mark Joing, MBA, chief development operations officer
- Josh Lehrer, M.D., M.Phil., FACC, chief executive officer
- Ethan J. Weiss, M.D., scientific founder and chief scientific
officer
Marea board members include:
- Ted Love, M.D., chairman, former president and chief executive
officer of Global Blood Therapeutics (acquired by Pfizer) and
chairman, Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO)
- Antoine Boulanger, Ph.D., principal, Forbion
- Jung Choi, MBA, entrepreneur in residence, Third Rock
Ventures
- Chris Garabedian, venture portfolio manager, Perceptive
Advisors
- Maha Katabi, Ph.D., general partner, Sofinnova Investments
- Josh Lehrer, M.D., M.Phil., FACC, chief executive officer
- Aaron Royston, M.D., managing partner, venBio
- Jeffrey Tong, Ph.D., partner, Third Rock Ventures
“With its focused scientific approach and differentiated
first-in-class development programs, Marea has the potential to
become a leading company in the cardiometabolic disease space,”
said Dr. Love. “I am thrilled to partner with this talented board
and management team to advance MAR001 and other programs for
patients who are in need of breakthrough cardiometabolic disease
therapies.”
About Marea
Marea Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company
harnessing the latest advances in human genetics to develop
first-in-class, next-generation medicines for cardiometabolic
diseases. The company’s lead program, MAR001, is in Phase 2
clinical development to lower remnant cholesterol in adults with
metabolic dysfunction and high risk for cardiovascular disease.
Marea is led by a dynamic team of scientists and company builders
with deep know-how and experience in cardiometabolic diseases,
human genetics and adipocyte biology. To learn more, please visit
www.mareatx.com and follow us on LinkedIn and X.
1 https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCIMAGING.121.012615Circulation:
Cardiovascular Imaging. 2021;14:e012615
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Media: 1AB Katie Engleman katie@1abmedia.com
Investors: 1AB Steve Klass steve@1abmedia.com