Leiden-based Cantoni Therapeutics secures funding to advance its development programs for metabolic and obesity-related conditions.
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Dutch-based Cantoni Therapeutics, a biotech company spun out from Leiden University, announced the closing of additional funding.
Brabantse Ontwikkelings Maatschappij (BOM) and angel investor join lead investor Libertatis Ergo Holding (LEH) in providing funding, with additional financial support from Brabant Startup Fund (BSF).
The Dutch company also announced that it was named a winner of the Novo Nordisk validatioNN grant, supporting translational research on the mode of action of NNMT inhibition.
Novo Nordisk is a global healthcare company founded in 1923 and based in Denmark. It focuses on defeating serious chronic diseases, building on its expertise in diabetes, through scientific innovation, improved access to medicines, and efforts to prevent and cure disease.
Capital utilisation
Cantoni Therapeutics was founded in December 2022 by Professor Nathaniel Martin and Dr. Matthijs van Haren, both experienced scientists specialising in small-molecule drug discovery and development.
The company is focused on advancing its NNMT inhibitors through further research and development, with the goal of offering new therapies for metabolic syndrome and related conditions.
The raised funds will help Cantoni Therapeutics to advance its lead Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) inhibitor into the IND-enabling phase for obesity and related conditions.
Annegret Van der Aa, PhD, CEO and Executive Director at Cantoni, says. “This combined equity and loan financing, and the research grant from Novo Nordisk will help significantly as we progress towards our ultimate goal to validate NNMT as a novel target for obesity and its comorbidities in the clinic. This financial support is a strong validation of our approach, enabling us to start IND-enabling studies.”
Gerard Spanbroek, Managing Director at BSF, adds, “We believe Cantoni’s small molecule NNMT inhibitors could be a game changer for the treatment of obesity and other indications. The experienced Cantoni team is already meeting milestones and is well on track to take their first NNMT inhibitor into the clinic, a first step to reaching patients.”
Transforming treatment for cardiometabolic disease
Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions often driven by lifestyle factors such as poor diet, physical inactivity, tobacco use, sedentary behavior, and excessive alcohol consumption. It typically includes obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, elevated triglycerides, and abnormal cholesterol levels.
Individuals with metabolic syndrome face a significantly higher risk of serious complications, including heart disease, kidney disease, fatty liver disease, glaucoma, neuropathy, and diabetic foot disease. This is where the Dutch biotechnology company Cantoni Therapeutics looks to make a difference.
With an aim to address this growing health challenge, Cantoni Therapeutics is developing small-molecule inhibitors targeting nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT), an enzyme found in the liver, adipose tissue, and muscle.
Elevated NNMT levels have been associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, making it an attractive target for therapeutic intervention.
In preclinical studies using diet-induced obese mice, Cantoni’s NNMT inhibitors reduced fat mass while preserving lean mass. These treatments also improved overall metabolic health by boosting energy intake.
Early research further indicated that NNMT inhibition may hold promise for treating chronic kidney disease and certain cancers.
What do the investors have to say?
Floris Hamel, Investment Manager at BOM, says, “Cantoni’s NNMT inhibition mechanism of action is highly differentiated from the currently approved incretin-based therapies and has the potential to become a new treatment option for obesity and its comorbidities.”
“With the team at Cantoni bringing long-standing experience in the discovery of small molecule inhibitors of NNMT and a successful track record in drug development, we are looking forward to the next milestones ahead.”
BOM supports startups and scaleups in areas such as sustainable food, health, climate-neutral energy, and key technologies. It provides facilities, helps Brabant-based companies grow, and supports international expansion. BOM operates as an executive body of the Province of Brabant and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, working with dozens of companies each year to drive impact.
Rob Mayfield, Managing Director at LEH, adds, “We welcome the new investors in Cantoni and are very pleased with the additional financial support provided by BSF to advance the NNMT program into IND-enabling phase.”
“Furthermore, we highly value the support by Novo Nordisk, through the validatioNN grant, to further extend the translational research on NNMT as a novel target for cardiometabolic disease.”
LEH is an independent seed investor that creates, supports, and funds life science and health startups and spinouts linked to Leiden University.
