Tempero Bio Secures $70M in Series B Funding to Advance Substance Use Disorder Treatment

Tempero Bio, an Oakland-based biotechnology company, has raised $70 million in Series B financing to further develop its innovative approach to treating substance use disorders. The funding round, led by 8VC with participation from Aditum Bio, Khosla Ventures, and other undisclosed investors, will support the advancement of the company's lead molecule, TMP-301, through two Phase II clinical trials for alcohol- and cocaine-use disorders.

TMP-301: A Novel Approach to Addiction Treatment

TMP-301, Tempero Bio's lead candidate, is designed to target the underlying biology of addiction by modulating glutamate signaling in the brain. The drug acts as a negative allosteric modulator (NAM) of the metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGlu5), a pathway with potential applications in treating various substance use disorders, depression, and certain neurodegenerative conditions.

Ricardo Dolmetsch, CEO and President of Tempero Bio, emphasized the urgent need for more effective treatments, stating, "Substance use disorders affect 48 million Americans and contribute to more than 100,000 deaths per year. We urgently need more effective treatments to help patients and families with these diseases. TMP-301 is a novel therapy that helps prevent relapse by targeting the underlying biology of addiction."

Clinical Development and Future Plans

The newly secured funding will enable Tempero Bio to conduct two Phase II clinical trials of TMP-301 in patients with alcohol- and cocaine-use disorders. Additionally, the company plans to use the funds for "Phase III-enabling activities" for other indications and formulations.

TMP-301 has already shown promise in preclinical models of opiate, alcohol, and cocaine use disorders. The drug has also been tested in approximately 80 healthy individuals as part of a Phase I study. In early 2023, Tempero Bio received investigational new drug (IND) clearance for TMP-301, along with a $5.3 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to study its efficacy in cocaine use disorders.

Industry Context and Competition

Tempero Bio's latest funding round reflects a growing interest in developing medical treatments for substance use disorders within the biopharmaceutical industry. While some companies are focusing on directly neutralizing drugs like fentanyl and their effects on the body, others are exploring the potential of GLP-1 drugs to reduce cravings.

Notably, major pharmaceutical companies such as Altimmune, Novo Nordisk, and Eli Lilly are currently conducting or preparing for clinical trials targeting alcohol-use disorders using GLP-1 drugs. This diversification of approaches highlights the complex nature of addiction treatment and the industry's commitment to finding effective solutions.