Resalis Therapeutics, an Italian biotech company specializing in metabolic disorder treatments, has successfully concluded a €10 million Series A financing round. The funding was led by Sunstone Life Science Ventures, accompanied by existing investors Claris Ventures and angel investors. This investment marks a pivotal moment for Resalis as it sets out to advance its lead program, RES-010, focusing on obesity treatment.
The allocated funds are earmarked for the initiation and completion of the initial human Phase 1 clinical trial and for gearing up toward Phase 2 readiness for RES-010. This compound, based on non-coding RNA technology, aims to revolutionize obesity treatment by offering sustained weight reduction and extending the effectiveness of approved therapeutics, such as GLP-1 receptor agonists.
RES-010 targets miR-22, a key regulator of lipid metabolism and energy consumption, through an antisense oligonucleotide. Demonstrating promising outcomes in multiple proof-of-concept studies involving diverse animal models, RES-010 exhibits the potential for longer-lasting therapeutic effects, either independently or in combination with existing drugs. With the US, Japan, and China patents secured and pending in the EU, Resalis is poised to initiate Phase 1 clinical trials by mid-2024.
Alessandro Toniolo, CEO of Resalis Therapeutics, expressed enthusiasm about reaching this funding milestone, emphasizing its significance in propelling RES-010 toward clinical trials. Toniolo articulated, “RES-010 represents a breakthrough in our pursuit to combat obesity effectively. We aim to introduce a therapeutic solution that precisely targets fat mass reduction, potentially enhancing the sustainability of existing therapies. We deeply appreciate the trust and support from both our existing and new investors and eagerly anticipate the upcoming developmental phase.”
Resalis, established in 2021, boasts profound expertise in the domain of non-coding RNAs and RNA-targeted therapeutics, particularly in addressing human health and metabolic disorders. The impending Phase 1 clinical study of RES-010 heralds an exciting phase for the company, promising a novel approach to tackle a pressing global health issue.
Claus Andersson, PhD, General Partner at Sunstone Life Science Ventures, highlighted the transformative potential of Resalis’ approach in managing metabolic disorders. Andersson emphasized the significance of preserving muscle mass for long-term clinical efficacy and shared optimism regarding the innovative aspects of RES-010 in potentially elevating therapeutic impact for obese patients.
Pietro Puglisi, Managing Partner at Claris Ventures and Chairman of the Board at Resalis Therapeutics, echoed Andersson’s sentiments, underlining the urgent need for innovative treatments in metabolic disorders. Puglisi reiterated his commitment to collaborating with Resalis, acknowledging the transformative vision embedded in the lead candidate’s potential to revolutionize treatment paradigms.
The recent funding infusion amplifies Resalis Therapeutics’ commitment to advancing groundbreaking therapeutic solutions, instilling hope in the pursuit of innovative and sustainable approaches to combat obesity and metabolic disorders.
