Novartis and Zurich University Invest CHF 1 Million in Appetite-Suppression Drug Developer EraCal
04.06.2019
EraCal Therapeutics AG is developing a safer, more-potent anti-obesity pill to disrupt a $77-billion-market. The spin-off raised the funding from the Life Sciences Fund, a joint fund between Novartis Venture Fund and the University of Zurich Foundation.
 EraCal Therapeutics co-founders Simon Breitler and Josua Jordi
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"This investment demonstrates the quality of our science and will keep us developing at full-speed," founder and CEO Josua Jordi said. "We are delighted to have such a strong partner on our side!"
EraCal, which won support, training and investment from Venture Kick in January, is developing an appetite-suppression pill more potent than products currently on the market. Patented molecules, from thousands Jordi screened, have trialed in zebrafish, mice and rats without showing unwanted side-effects. "Experiments show EraCal’s patented molecule to be best-in-class – the goal now is to bring this transformation to millions of patients worldwide," he said.
World Health Organization statistics suggest 650 million people are obese, and 1.9 billion overweight. These conditions reduces life expectancy by as many as four years and cause type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and many cancers. The annual global sales of obesity therapies exceeds $77 billion, Jordi said, adding that "since current therapies offer a poor benefit-to-risk ratio, a safe, effective anti-obesity drug will revolutionize treatment and disrupt this market."
"Venture Kick sharpened our business case, taught us the importance of focus, and pushed us to drive professional implementation at all levels of EraCal."