China’s Harbour BioMed has launched a new biotech to develop bispecific antibodies focused on the holy grail of next-gen obesity meds—reducing body weight without losing muscle mass. The new entity, called Élancé Therapeutics, will use Harbour’s own BioMed’s HCAb-based bispecific antibody tech as well as the Hu-mAtrIx AI platform from its Nona Biosciences subsidiary to “develop innovative therapies addressing key challenges in current obesity treatment, including muscle preservation and long-term efficacy,” according to the March 12 release. “Our bispecific antibody programs enable a new paradigm in obesity treatment by targeting multiple pathways in a precise and effective manner,” Harbour’s CEO Jingsong Wang, M.D., Ph.D., said in the release. “With a focus on optimizing weight loss efficacy, preserving lean muscle mass, and improving long-term outcomes, we believe our approach has the potential to redefine obesity therapeutics,” Wang added. Élancé’s pipeline of “multiple” bispecific antibodies, which are all in preclinical development, have the “potential to complement and expand upon existing treatment options, including various agonists of GLP-1 receptor, GIP receptor, and GCG receptor,” Harbour said in the release.

Full report : Chinese company, Harbour BioMed launches new obesity biotech startup called Élancé Therapeutics for obesity drugs.