Launch of Obesity Company Kailera Therapeutics

RTW Biotech Opportunities Ltd

03 October 2024

 

LEI: 549300Q7EXQQH6KF7Z84

03 October 2024

RTW Biotech Opportunities Ltd

Launch of Obesity Company Kailera Therapeutics

RTW Biotech Opportunities Ltd (the "Company"), a London Stock Exchange-listed investment company focused on identifying transformative assets with high growth potential across the life sciences sector, is pleased to note the announcement by new portfolio company, Kailera Therapeutics ("Kailera"), of its launch and $400 million Series A financing round co-led by RTW Investments (the "Investment Manager").

The Company, alongside other investment vehicles managed by RTW Investments, co-led the Series A with Atlas Venture and Bain Capital Life Sciences, with participation from Lyra Capital. The funding will be used to advance a portfolio of next-generation therapies for obesity and related conditions.

Kailera's mission is to develop next-generation weight management therapies that give people the power to transform their lives and elevate their overall health. It is developing a broad, advanced, and differentiated portfolio of clinical-stage injectable and oral therapies that have demonstrated potential as best-in-class treatments for the treatment of chronic weight management. Kailera's most advanced program, KAI-9531, is an injectable GLP-1/GIP receptor dual agonist that demonstrated positive results in Phase 2 trials in obesity and type 2 diabetes in China.

Roderick Wong, Managing Partner and CIO at the Investment Manager commented on the launch, "We are immensely proud to co-lead the Series A launch of Kailera Therapeutics, our fourth new company creation at RTW. Kailera represents a significant step forward in addressing the huge market for chronic weight management and metabolic diseases. With its clinically-validated pipeline and experienced management team, we are confident that Kailera is well-positioned to develop breakthrough therapies that will profoundly improve the lives of patients worldwide. We look forward to supporting them on this transformative journey."

The full text of the announcement can be accessed here.

  For Further Information

RTW Investments, LP	[phone]
Woody Stileman, Managing Director, Business Development Krisha McCune, Director, Investor Relations	[e-mail]
Buchanan (PR & Communications Adviser)	[phone]
Charles Ryland
Henry Wilson
George Beale
Deutsche Numis (Joint Corporate Broker) Freddie Barnfield	[phone]
Nathan Brown
Euan Brown
BofA Securities (Joint Corporate Broker)	[phone]
Edward Peel
Alex Penney
Cadarn Capital (Distribution & IR Partner)	[phone]
David Harris
Elysium Fund Management Limited Joanna Duquemin Nicolle, Chief Executive Officer Sadie Morrison, Managing Director	[phone]
Morgan Stanley Fund Services USA LLC	[phone]

About Biotech Opportunities Ltd:

RTW Biotech Opportunities Ltd (LSE: RTW) is an investment fund focused on identifying transformative assets with high growth potential across the biopharmaceutical and medical technology sectors. Driven by a long-term approach to support innovative businesses, RTW Biotech Opportunities Ltd invests in companies developing next-generation therapies and technologies that can significantly improve patients' lives. RTW Biotech Opportunities Ltd is managed by RTW Investments, LP, a leading healthcare-focused entrepreneurial investment firm with deep scientific expertise and a strong track record of supporting companies developing life-changing therapies.

Visit the website at www.rtwfunds.com/rtw-biotech-opportunities-ltd for more information.

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The information in this announcement may include forward-looking statements, which are based on the current expectations and projections about future events, and in certain cases can be identified by the use of terms such as "may", "will", "should", "expect", "anticipate", "project", "estimate", "intend", "continue", "target", "believe" (or the negatives thereon) or other variations thereon or comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements, as well as those included in any related materials, are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions about the Company and/or its underlying investments, including, among other things, the development of the applicable entity's business, trends in its operating industry, expected use of financing proceeds and future capital expenditures and acquisitions. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the events in the forward-looking statements may not occur.

The information contained in this announcement is given at the date of its publication (unless otherwise marked). No reliance may be placed for any purpose whatsoever on the information or opinions contained in this announcement or on its completeness, accuracy or fairness.

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