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Partnership will leverage Iktos's AI-enabled drug discovery platform and Cube Biotech's advanced protein technologies to develop novel agonists of the Amylin Receptor PARIS and MONHEIM, Germany, Jan. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Iktos, a leader in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics for drug design, and Cube Biotech, a pioneer in membrane protein production and purification technologies, today announced a strategic collaboration to discover novel small molecule agonists of the Amylin Receptor. The partnership combines Iktos' generative AI-driven drug discovery and robotic synthesis platform with Cube Biotech's advanced native membrane protein technology NativeMPTM, as well as their purification and biophysical assay expertise, to accelerate the development of breakthrough therapies. This paves the way for a joint collaborative offering directed towards pharmaceutical companies, combining the strengths of both platforms to undertake their most challenging drug discovery programs. Amylin receptor agonists hold significant promise for addressing unmet medical needs in cardiometabolic disorders, including obesity, diabetes, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic hepatitis (MASH). The Amylin Receptor regulates appetite and satiety, making it a compelling target for obesity, which affects over one-third of the global population. Existing GLP-1 receptor agonist therapies like semaglutide or the peptide Amylin analogue Pramlintide have limited impact due to high costs, accessibility, and undesirable side effects. Orally administered novel small molecule agonists of the Amylin receptor could overcome these barriers, offering scalable and effective treatments and providing better management for the growing obesity epidemic and its comorbidities. However, the receptor's structural and biological complexity has long posed challenges for discovering viable low-molecular-weight modulators. "By tackling one of the most pressing unmet needs in cardiometabolic disorders, our partnership with Cube Biotech aims to discover improved treatments for patients affected by obesity, diabetes, and related conditions," said Yann Gaston-Mathé, Co-founder and CEO of Iktos. "We are excited to add the Amylin Receptor to our pipeline as this complex, yet promising target demands innovation at every stage. We see this collaboration as a foundation for future initiatives, extending the reach of our combined platform to address the most challenging membrane targets for the benefit of our pharma partners." Iktos has developed a cutting-edge 3D generative chemistry technology for structure-guided de novo design that natively accounts for protein flexibility during molecule optimization—a key advantage over models like AlphaFold, which can only be applied post-molecule generation. Cube Biotech has developed a world-leading protein production platform, based on NativeMP™ technology, which preserves the natural configuration of membrane proteins - a key advantage in accessing biologically active drug targets for testing. The company's native protein stabilization technology enhances the reliability and precision of functional assays, structural insights, and downstream applications. "Amylin Receptor is a challenging but highly promising target for metabolic disorders", said Dr. Barbara Maertens, Co-founder and COO of Cube Biotech. "Through our collaboration with Iktos, we aim to leverage our advanced protein stabilization and structural analysis technologies to validate and accelerate the discovery of novel small molecule agonists. Together, we are setting a new standard for efficiency and innovation in drug discovery." These integrated technologies endeavor to overcome longstanding inefficiencies in drug discovery, shortening timelines, improving success rates, and unlocking new possibilities for targeting complex and historically elusive membrane proteins, such as G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), membrane transporters, ion channels, and others. About Iktos Iktos is a leader in artificial intelligence and robotic solutions applied to research in medicinal chemistry and new drug design. Iktos' proprietary and innovative generative AI solution enables the design of molecules that are optimized in silico to meet all the success criteria of a small molecule discovery project. The use of Iktos technology enables major productivity gains in upstream pharmaceutical R&D. Iktos offers its technology through the SaaS software platforms Makya™ for generative drug design and Spaya™ for retrosynthesis, and through strategic collaborations with pharma companies where Iktos mobilizes its unique platform and leading-edge capabilities to expedite small molecule drug discovery for the benefit of its partners. Iktos has also developed Iktos Robotics, a unique AI-driven synthesis automation platform that dramatically accelerates the Design-Make-Test-Analyze cycle in drug discovery and is developing its own pipeline of drug candidates targeting oncology and auto-immune and inflammatory diseases. In March 2023, Iktos completed a 15.5M€ Series A financing round co-led by M Ventures and Debiopharm Innovation with contribution by Omnes Capital. In July 2024, Iktos announced the acquisition of Synsight, thereby complementing its Chemistry AI platform with a groundbreaking biology platform for the discovery of new drugs targeting Protein-Protein Interactions (PPI) and RNA-Protein Interactions (RPI). About Cube Biotech Cube Biotech is a leader in membrane protein production, purification, and characterization technologies. With proprietary copolymer-based solutions that maintain biological integrity in native-like protein states, Cube Biotech enables groundbreaking research in challenging drug targets, including membrane receptors, protein co-expressions, and even larger complexes. The company's expertise in assay development, biophysical characterization, and structural resolution supports efficient drug discovery workflows across the pharmaceutical and biotechnical industries. Additionally, an extensive purification resin and magnetic bead portfolio for affinity chromatography and efficient protein purification is manufactured in-house at high quality. For more information, visit . Media Contact: Eleonora Echegaray P: 35 823189279 E: [email protected] SOURCE Iktos WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED

POTOMAC, Md.--( BUSINESS WIRE )--Versant Ventures today announced the debut of Pep2Tango Therapeutics Inc., a startup 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. GLP-1-based therapies have proven efficacy in treating obesity and associated co-morbidities, but come with significant drawbacks. These 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. Pep2Tango’s lead drug candidates are engineered to overcome these drawbacks. They are unimolecular multi-receptor peptide agonists that target GLP-1, GIP, amylin and calcitonin receptors. This unique combination of targets in one molecule is truly differentiated with key advantages compared with first-generation drugs on the market and therapies currently in development. Preclinical studies of Pep2Tango’s molecules have demonstrated superior weight loss versus tirzepatide, primarily through selective fat mass loss with preservation of muscle mass, improved blood lipid profiles, better glycemic control, and beneficial effects on the liver. The company’s programs were developed by a deeply experienced team led by President, CEO and Chairperson Cristina Rondinone, Ph.D., and CSO Soumitra Ghosh, Ph.D. Dr. Rondinone previously was president of Cellarity, and SVP and head of cardiovascular, renal and metabolic diseases at AstraZeneca plc. Prior to that, she held roles of increasing responsibility in cardio-metabolic disease research and development at MedImmune Inc., Roche and Abbott Laboratories, where she led the research and development of multiple molecules that moved to clinical trials including Rezdiffra ™ , dorzagliatin and bentracimab. Dr. Ghosh is a co-founder of multiple biotech companies and served as executive director for research at Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc., where he was involved in development efforts culminating in the approvals of Byetta ® , Symlin ® , Bydureon ® and Myalept ® . Dr. Ghosh also served as president of the Peptide Therapeutics Foundation. “We are delighted that Versant is backing Pep2Tango as we advance our programs towards clinical development,” said Dr. Rondinone. “There is a critical need to develop safe and highly efficacious drug therapies for obesity that preserve muscle mass and Pep2Tango’s approach should positively impact the lives of patients.” “We are thrilled to partner with the seasoned team of experts at Pep2Tango,” said Carlo Rizzuto, Ph.D., managing director at Versant and a Pep2Tango board member. “We are convinced that the company’s tetra-receptor agonists have best-in-category potential with respect to magnitude and quality of weight loss, as well as improving metabolic and cardiovascular health, that could redefine obesity treatment.” Pep2Tango Therapeutics is focused on CMC development activities to scale up drug candidate manufacturing and on running IND-enabling studies for a rapid transition to first-in-human clinical studies. An IND submission is expected in 2025. About Pep2Tango Therapeutics Inc. Pep2Tango Therapeutics is a biotechnology company founded in 2021 by seasoned pharmaceutical executives with a long track record of successful drug development. The company’s vision is to develop next generation peptide drugs that target unmet medical needs, including for metabolic, endocrine, CNS and cardiovascular disorders. Pep2Tango’s novel drug development approach for obesity focuses on unimolecular peptides that target multiple receptors, allowing for superior weight loss efficacy, muscle mass preservation, improved tolerability, and streamlined development and manufacturability. The company is backed by Versant Ventures. About Versant Ventures Versant Ventures is a leading healthcare venture capital firm committed to helping exceptional entrepreneurs build the next generation of great companies. The firm’s emphasis is on biotechnology companies that are discovering and developing novel therapeutics. With $5.5 billion under management and offices in the U.S., Canada and Europe, Versant has built a team with deep investment, operating and R&D expertise that enables a hands-on approach to company building. Since the firm’s founding in 1999, more than 100 Versant companies have achieved successful acquisitions or IPOs. For more information, please visit www.versantventures.com .