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Marea Therapeutics operates as a clinical-stage biotechnology company, focused on developing first-in-class medicines for cardiometabolic diseases. The firm employs an advanced human genetics platform to identify and advance novel therapies, particularly for cardioendocrine disorders. Their pipeline includes drug candidates such as MAR002, which recently achieved positive Phase I results for acromegaly.
The company was established by a team of prominent scientists and industry veterans, driven by a clear vision for advancing cardiometabolic health. Their founding insight emphasized harnessing breakthroughs in human genetic research to pinpoint new therapeutic targets. This strategy aims to create interventions that address the fundamental biological drivers of complex diseases.
Marea’s therapeutic candidates are developed for patients managing chronic cardiometabolic and cardioendocrine conditions. The company envisions pioneering a new generation of medicines offering superior efficacy and safety. Ultimately, Marea seeks to set new standards of care by delivering transformative treatments informed by deep genetic understanding.
Marea Therapeutics has raised $255.0M across 2 funding rounds.
Marea Therapeutics has raised $255.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Marea Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing first-in-class therapies for cardiometabolic diseases, the leading cause of global morbidity and mortality.[1][3][4] It leverages large-scale human genetic data and adipocyte biology to target unaddressed drivers like remnant cholesterol and adipose tissue dysfunction, with its lead program MAR-001—a monoclonal antibody inhibiting ANGPTL4—currently in Phase 2 for hypertriglyceridemia and cardiovascular risk in patients with metabolic dysfunction.[1][2][3][4] The company serves high-risk patients underserved by existing symptom-focused therapies, aiming to complement or transform treatments for heart disease and diabetes.[1][4]
Launched in 2024 with $190 million in combined Series A and B financing—led by Third Rock Ventures (Series A), Sofinnova Investments (Series B co-led by Forbion, Perceptive Xontogeny, and venBio)—Marea funds MAR-001's Phase 2 advancement and pipeline expansion, including preclinical assets like MAR-002 (GHR antagonist) and MAR-003.[3][2] Headquartered in San Francisco, it demonstrates strong growth momentum through rapid clinical progression and backing from top biotech investors.[1][3]
Marea Therapeutics emerged in 2024 from the insight that human genetics and adipose biology could unlock novel therapies for cardiometabolic risks persisting despite control of factors like obesity and LDL cholesterol, particularly unsafe energy storage leading to atherosclerosis and diabetes.[1][3] Founded by a team of scientific leaders in genetics, adipocyte biology, and cardiometabolic diseases, it was launched with Third Rock Ventures' support, quickly securing $190 million in Series A/B rounds from investors including Sofinnova, Forbion, Perceptive, venBio, Alpha Wave Global, Omega Funds, and Surveyor Capital.[3][4]
CEO Josh Lehrer, M.D., M.Phil., FACC, leads with deep biopharma experience, backed by clinical advisors and executives focused on creating a premier cardiometabolic firm.[1] Early traction came via MAR-001's advancement to Phase 2, targeting ANGPTL4 to enhance lipoprotein lipase activity in adipose tissue and lower atherogenic remnant cholesterol—a gap with no prior targeted therapies.[1][4]
Marea rides the wave of precision medicine in biotech, where human genetics and functional biology enable first-in-class drugs for cardiometabolic diseases—a $100B+ market burdened by 20 million annual deaths worldwide.[1] Timing aligns with advances in genetic datasets and biologics, filling gaps left by LDL-focused statins and GLP-1s, as remnant cholesterol emerges as an independent atherogenic driver without approved therapies.[1][4]
Market forces like rising obesity, diabetes prevalence, and demand for causal therapies favor Marea, influencing the ecosystem by validating adipose-centric targets and attracting capital to genetics-led cardio biotech.[3][4] Its launch amid robust Series A/B funding signals investor confidence in this frontier, potentially accelerating pipeline rivals and reshaping standards beyond symptom management.[1][3]
Marea is poised to advance MAR-001 through Phase 2 readouts by late 2025/2026, with potential data driving Phase 3 and partnerships given its novel mechanism and investor syndicate strength.[2][3] Pipeline expansion into atherosclerosis and growth hormone targets could solidify its cardiometabolic leadership, shaped by trends in genetic validation, AI-driven biology, and combo therapies with GLP-1s.[1][2][4]
As biotech evolves toward root-cause interventions, Marea's influence may grow via landmark approvals, influencing how the field tackles unaddressed risks in millions of patients—building on its genetic foundation to redefine cardiometabolic care.[1]
Marea Therapeutics has raised $255.0M across 2 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $190.0M Series B in June 2024.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 1, 2024 | $190M Series B | Third Rock Ventures | Aisling Capital, Drive Capital, Perceptive Advisors, RA Capital, Sofinnova Investments, VenBio Partners, Vida Ventures, Vivo Capital, Alice Zhang, Evan Cheng | Announced |
| Jun 1, 2024 | $65M Series A | Third Rock Ventures | Perceptive Advisors, RA Capital, Sofinnova Investments, VenBio Partners, Alice Zhang, Evan Cheng | Announced |
Marea Therapeutics has raised $255.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Marea Therapeutics's investors include Third Rock Ventures, Aisling Capital, Drive Capital, Perceptive Advisors, RA Capital, Sofinnova Investments, venBio, Vida Ventures, Vivo Capital, Alice Zhang, Evan Cheng.
