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Apr 22 2025
3Confo Therapeutics, a biotech company focused on G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), has announced the successful closing of a €60 million (approximately $64 million) Series B financing round. The funding, led by Belgian investment firm Ackermans & van Haaren, marks a significant step forward for the company as it expands its pipeline of agonistic GPCR antibodies.
According to Confo CEO Cedric Ververken, the fresh capital will be used to initiate two Phase 1 clinical trials for proprietary programs and push two additional candidates to the IND/CTA (Investigational New Drug/Clinical Trial Application) stage. While details of the programs remain under wraps, the company intends to disclose more as development progresses.
The funding will also bolster Confo’s research and development efforts, particularly in the areas of rare endocrine disorders and obesity—fields where GPCR-targeting therapies are becoming increasingly prominent. Ververken emphasized that over 30% of currently marketed drugs act via GPCRs, with the growing popularity of GLP-1 receptor agonists for diabetes and obesity further validating the therapeutic potential of this receptor family.
GPCRs are membrane proteins involved in a wide range of physiological processes. Out of hundreds of druggable GPCRs in the human genome, many remain untapped due to technological challenges in developing selective modulators. These receptors can be either activated with agonists or inhibited with antagonists depending on the disease context. When a ligand binds to a GPCR, it triggers a structural shift that activates intracellular signaling via G-proteins, influencing numerous cellular responses.
Confo Therapeutics has positioned itself at the forefront of this space with a proprietary platform built around its unique ConfoBodies. These are llama-derived VHH antibody fragments designed to lock GPCRs into their functional conformations, enabling high-sensitivity screening for small molecules and antibodies. The technology also supports structural biology efforts, facilitating the development of next-generation GPCR-targeting therapies, including elusive agonistic antibodies.
“The industry has long struggled with developing agonistic antibodies for GPCRs,” said Ververken. “Our platform gives us the ability to unlock that potential, enabling the discovery of both small molecule and antibody-based GPCR agonists.”
The company plans to leverage this advantage to deliver novel treatments for severe endocrine diseases and develop alternatives or complements to existing GLP-1 therapies in obesity. One of the key benefits of antibody-based approaches, especially in endocrine disorders, is the potential for improved specificity and reduced dosing frequency compared to hormone analogs, which often require daily injections and pose risks of off-target effects.
While agonistic GPCR antibodies have historically been difficult to develop due to the complex nature of GPCR activation, recent progress in structural biology and high-throughput screening is making them more viable. Such antibodies are also gaining attention for their potential in cancer, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative diseases by modulating immune responses and signaling pathways.
Although no agonistic GPCR antibody has yet reached the market, Confo is not alone in the race. Twist Bioscience’s Twist Biopharma unit, for example, is advancing candidates targeting receptors like ADORA2A and GLP1R, both of which play key roles in immuno-oncology and metabolic regulation. Their GLP1R-targeting antibodies have demonstrated strong efficacy in preclinical glucose control models.
Similarly, Biocytogen Pharmaceuticals and LiberoThera are collaborating on fully human GPCR antibodies aimed at CCR8, a receptor involved in tumor immunology. Their joint effort has already yielded several promising preclinical candidates with in vitro and in vivo anti-tumor activity.
Despite the competition, Confo sees itself in a strong position. “There are only a handful of GPCR antibodies on the market today and very few agonists in development,” Ververken noted. “Our technology gives us an edge, both in targeting difficult GPCRs and in optimizing drug profiles for clinical use.”
Among the company’s long-term targets is GPR75, an orphan GPCR linked to obesity but as yet undrugged due to technical limitations. With a strategic focus on endocrine and metabolic diseases, Confo aims to pursue both late-stage development for niche indications and potential partnerships or licensing for broader conditions like obesity.
As the field of GPCR modulation continues to evolve, Confo Therapeutics stands out with a specialized platform designed to overcome long-standing hurdles in antibody development. With its newly secured funding, the company is poised to drive innovation in one of the most pharmacologically rich but technically challenging areas of drug discovery.
Source:https://www.labiotech.eu/more-news/confo-gpcr/
This is non-financial/medical advice and made using AI so could be wrong.
