Startups, BioPharma

Kallyope launches with $44M to study gut-brain connection

Two Nobel laureates are scientific advisors to New York City startup Kallyope, which is examining the function of the gut-brain axis.

Scientists are beginning to unravel the connection between the brain and the stomach – finding there’s mounting evidence that the state of the gut can alter the mind, mood and neurological state, and vice versa.

Hence, the launch of  Kallyope – a New York City startup emerging out of stealth with news of a $44 million Series A. The startup is harnessing the potential of this gut-brain axis – with plans to build a new drug development platform, new small molecule medicines, and even nutritional products.

One early area of focus could be obesity and other metabolic disorders, CEO Nancy Thornberry said in a phone interview, as well as drugs that are restricted to the gut.

“There’s increasing interest also in making compounds restricted to the gut, that actually can be used to effect behavior and metabolism,” she said.

The gut is actually a well-validated target for therapeutics discover, particularly GLP-1 based diabetes therapies, Thornberry said. The stomach has many sensors to detect satiety and metabolism. The gut is highly enervated, with hundreds of millions of neurons – as well as a rich microbiome that we’re just beginning to learn about.

“People have a ‘gut feeling’ for a reason,” Thornberry said. “That idea isn’t actually that surprising; the gut could be involved in the modulation of some important neurological processes.”

Kallyope is remaining vague about its science, but the company has a number of high profile scientists – including three Nobel laureates, two Lasker award winners and several members of the national academies.

Founding investors include Lux Capital, Polaris Partners and the Column Group. Other investors incude Illumina, Alexandria Venture Investments and Venrock partner Dr. Tony Evnin.

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