Obesity-focused start-up attracts $7m MRCF investment

The Medical Research Commercialisation Fund (MRCF) has announced a $7 million investment in Cincera Therapeutics, a privately held biotech company seeking to develop therapies targeting conditions relating to an unhealthy diet.

Established as a spin-out from the Centre for Cancer Biology (CCB) in Adelaide and the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MIPS) in Melbourne, Cincera develops novel drugs aiming to transform the treatment of inflammatory and fibrotic indications associated with metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and other indications. Founded by Associate Professor Bernard Flynn from MIPS and Professor Stuart Pitson from the CCB, the start-up has a particular focus on conditions relating to an unhealthy Western diet and associated with obesity.

Obesity and Western diets, high in saturated fats and processed carbohydrates, can alter the abundance (in both quantity and quality) of fats in the body. The subsequent accumulation of excessive and ‘toxic’ fats in the peripheral organs can induce inflammation and tissue fibrosis (scarring), which can ultimately compromise function and lead to conditions such as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) — one of the leading reasons for liver transplants globally.

Cincera aims to treat diseases like NASH by reducing the excessive abundance of toxic fats in the body. It will also translate research from MIPS and CCB to develop and trial new treatments for a range of conditions, including certain cancers.

“Cincera is a great example of how partnering great teams and technologies with capital, and the right expertise, can facilitate the translation of Australian medical research,” said Associate Professor Flynn, Cincera’s CEO.

“In our collaboration with Professor Pitson of CCB and Associate Professor Bing Wang of Monash Clinical Epidemiology, we have brought the science of disease biology and drug discovery together in a unique and effective manner. Through the rapid assembly of initial research compounds, we were able to identify the most important enzymatic targets that contribute to inflammatory and fibrotic disease — and then develop drug-like lead compounds to specifically intercept these new targets.

“Our lead compounds have been further optimised in collaboration with the MIPS Centre for Drug Candidate Optimisation (CDCO) and form the basis of Cincera’s new approach to metabolic disease. This program exemplifies MIPS’s ongoing commitment to translational research through inter-institutional collaboration.”

Professor Pitson, CSO of Cincera, said early-stage drug development has revealed promising new treatment targets, stating, “Through collaboration with the team at Monash, we have drug candidates that are potent and broad-acting anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic agents that show strong potential to become new treatments.

“There are many aspects of the disease that could be improved by these drugs, from treating liver or kidney dysfunction through to possible treatments for certain cancers.”

Cincera secured its venture capital support from the $200 million MRCF3 fund, managed by Brandon Capital Partners. The investment will be used by the company to show efficacy in disease models and support the ongoing optimisation of compounds to fast-track drug candidates that will be suitable for clinical trials in three to four years.

“The Cincera founders have developed a highly differentiated approach to treating inflammation and fibrosis,” said Dr Michael Bettess, investment manager at Brandon Capital and director of Cincera. “When combined with high-quality Australian science and the extensive commercial experience of the team, Cincera became a clear early-stage investment for the MRCF.

“It’s important to lead and maintain a healthy lifestyle as diseases like NASH are often associated with poor dietary choices and therefore largely preventable. However, for the many people who do suffer from this serious disorder, a drug-based treatment is really their only option and needed urgently.”

Associate Professor Flynn said the Cincera team is “delighted to have won the support from MRCF to take our innovative new therapies to the next stage”.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/Andrey Popov