In a year when metabolic diseases have drawn major investor interest, the newest player has big-name backing, a sizable war chest and veteran leadership.

在代谢疾病引起主要投资者兴趣的一年里，这位最新的球员有着大牌的支持、可观的战利品和资深的领导。

Kailera Therapeutics, details of which first emerged in May under the name “Hercules CM NewCo,” emerged from stealth Tuesday with plans to develop a portfolio of GLP-1 drugs for obesity and other metabolic conditions. The drugs were acquired from Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals Co., which had already completed early clinical trials in China for what is now Kailera's lead program, an injectable medicine dubbed KAI-9531..

Kailera Therapeutics于5月以“Hercules CM NewCo”的名义首次亮相，该公司于周二秘密推出，计划开发一系列治疗肥胖和其他代谢疾病的GLP-1药物。这些药物是从江苏恒瑞制药有限公司（Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals Co.）收购的，该公司已经在中国完成了早期临床试验，目前是凯勒（Kailera）的领先项目，一种被称为KAI-9531的注射剂。。

“We have an incredible opportunity to develop next-generation treatments for chronic weight management, helping people reclaim their health and live their lives to the fullest,” said Ron Renaud, a well-known biotech executive who’s become Kailera’s CEO.

“我们有一个绝佳的机会来开发下一代慢性体重管理治疗方法，帮助人们恢复健康，过上最充实的生活，”罗恩·雷诺（RonRenaud）说，他是著名的生物技术高管，现已成为凯勒拉的首席执行官。

KAI-9531, which targets the GLP-1 and GIP hormone receptors, is being tested in people with obesity and Type 2 diabetes. A Jiangsu Hengrui subsidiary was expected to complete a Phase 2 trial of the drug in Type 2 diabetes earlier this year, and is running two ongoing trials in obesity.

针对GLP-1和GIP激素受体的KAI-9531正在肥胖症和2型糖尿病患者中进行测试。江苏恒瑞的一家子公司预计将于今年早些时候完成该药治疗2型糖尿病的2期临床试验，目前正在进行两项肥胖试验。

Kailera has three other GLP-1 agonists in development, including KAI-7535, which is in clinical testing, as well as two preclinical assets.

Kailera还有另外三种GLP-1激动剂正在开发中，包括正在进行临床测试的KAI-7535，以及两种临床前资产。

Though the GLP-1 field is dominated by Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, rival pharmas and biotechs alike are working quickly to develop competitors. For instance, Roche and Viking Therapeutics are each developing medicines that act on GLP-1 and GIP, the hormones that are targeted by Lilly's Zepbound.

尽管GLP-1领域由诺和诺德和礼来主导，但竞争对手制药公司和生物技术公司都在迅速开发竞争对手。例如，罗氏（Roche）和维京（Viking）治疗公司（Therapeutics）都在开发作用于GLP-1和GIP的药物，而GLP-1和GIP是礼来（Lilly）Zepbound的目标激素。

And over the past two years, startups like OrsoBio, SixPeaks Bio and BioAge Labs have raised notable private financings and attracted the attention of pharma partners. The recent IPO performance of BioAge, which pivoted from age-related diseases to obesity drug research, has also suggested investor confidence in the promise of this new wave of metabolic drugs..

在过去两年中，OrsoBio、SixPeaks Bio和BioAge Labs等初创公司筹集了大量私人资金，并吸引了制药合作伙伴的注意。BioAge最近的IPO表现，从与年龄有关的疾病转向肥胖药物研究，也表明投资者对这一波新的代谢药物的前景充满信心。。

Renaud, a long-time fixture of the biotech industry, sold his previous three companies: Idenix Pharmaceuticals, bought in a 2014 deal with Merck & Co.; Translate Bio, purchased by Sanofi in 2021; and Cerevel Therapeutics, acquired in 2023 by AbbVie.

雷诺（Renaud）是生物技术行业的长期合作伙伴，他卖掉了之前的三家公司：2014年与默克公司（Merck&Co.）达成协议收购的艾德尼克斯制药（Idenix Pharmaceuticals）。；翻译生物，由赛诺菲于2021年收购；和Cerevel Therapeutics，于2023年由AbbVie收购。

Kailera’s early investors include Atlas Venture, Bain Capital, RTW Investments and Lyra Capital. In May, the venture firms incorporated the company and licensed the drug candidates from Hengrui for $110 million in upfront and near-term payments as well as a roughly 20% equity stake, according to a filing.

Kailera的早期投资者包括Atlas Venture、Bain Capital、RTW Investments和Lyra Capital。据一份文件显示，五月份，这些风险投资公司将该公司注册成立，并以1.1亿美元的预付款和近期付款以及大约20%的股权从恒瑞获得候选药物许可。

Bain Capital, where Renaud is a partner, held the largest stake in Kailera as of May at 39%..

雷诺是贝恩资本的合伙人，截至5月，贝恩资本以39%的股份持有凯勒拉最大的股份。。

Joining Renaud on Kailera’s leadership team is John Milligan, the former CEO of Gilead Sciences, as chair of the board of directors.

吉列德科学公司（Gilead Sciences）前首席执行官、董事会主席约翰·米利根（JohnMilligan）加入了雷诺（Renaud）的凯勒拉领导团队。