Kailera Therapeutics

Clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a differentiated portfolio of injectable and oral therapies for the treatment of obesity and related metabolic conditions.

Location
Waltham, Massachusetts & San Diego, California, USA
Founded
2024
Categories
biotech, obesity, metabolic-disease, glp-1, therapeutics

Notes

Kailera Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing next-generation therapies for obesity and related metabolic conditions. The company launched in October 2024 with an industry-leading $400 million Series A financing, one of the largest Series A rounds in biotech history.

Kailera's lead program KAI-9531 (developed in China as HRS9531) is an injectable dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist that has demonstrated positive clinical trial results in obesity and type 2 diabetes. The company is also developing oral therapies for weight management.

In November 2025, the company announced a $600 million Series B financing to further advance its pipeline.

Team

  • Ron Renaud - President & Chief Executive Officer (former CEO of Cerevel Therapeutics)
  • Laurie Stelzer - Chief Financial Officer
  • John F. Milligan, Ph.D. - Board Chair (former CEO of Gilead Sciences)
  • Frank K. Clyburn, Jr. - Board Director
  • Michael Gladstone - Board Director (Partner, Atlas Venture)

Additional Research Findings

  • Backed by Bain Capital Life Sciences, Atlas Venture, RTW Investments, and Lyra Capital
  • $400 million Series A (October 2024) - one of largest in biotech history
  • $600 million Series B (November 2025)
  • Lead candidate KAI-9531 is a dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist
  • Developing both injectable and oral obesity therapies
  • Targeting the obesity drug market projected to exceed $150 billion by early 2030s
  • Headquarters in Waltham, MA with additional operations in San Diego, CA

Sources