Biophytis secures €5.3M to advance BIO101, a potential complement to GLP-1 drugs, into a Phase 2 obesity trial targeting muscle preservation and weight regain
Written By: Rishabh Sonwane, BPharm
Reviewed By: Pharmacally Editorial Team
Biophytis SA has completed a €5.3 million capital increase to fund development of its BIO101 Phase 2 OBA obesity program, with topline results expected in the first half of 2028.
The financing, announced on September 11, 2026, generated €5.3 million in gross proceeds, comprising €4.75 million in cash and €0.55 million through the rollover of Hexagon debt. The transaction involved the issuance of 101,923,092 new shares accompanied by 127,403,865 share subscription warrants.
The placement was made to institutional investors, with 62% of participation coming from the United States and 38% from Europe. Biophytis plans to use the net proceeds primarily to launch and execute its Phase 2 OBA study in the United States, European Union and Brazil, including patient enrollment and reporting of topline results.
BIO101 Advances Toward Phase 2 Obesity Trial
BIO101, also known as 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E), is Biophytis’ lead small-molecule drug candidate under development for muscular and metabolic disorders. The company is developing BIO101 as a potential complementary therapy to GLP-1 receptor agonists, including semaglutide and tirzepatide, marketed as Wegovy and Zepbound, respectively.
The Phase 2 OBA study (NCT07411378) is designed to evaluate whether BIO101 can help preserve muscle strength and mobility during weight loss associated with GLP-1-based treatment. The program also aims to investigate whether BIO101 may help limit weight regain following discontinuation of GLP-1 treatment.
Biophytis is targeting initiation of the Phase 2 obesity study in the first quarter of 2027, with topline data expected in the first half of 2028.
Financing Extends Cash Runway
The completed financing is expected to extend Biophytis’ cash runway through the first quarter of 2028. The company reported €8.9 million in cash and cash equivalents following the offering, while the debt rollover reduced its outstanding Hexagon credit-line balance from €1.2 million to €0.65 million.
In addition, all warrants issued during the March 2026 capital increase were exercised, generating €2.8 million in proceeds.
The company stated that the financing will support the OBA trial from initiation through patient enrollment and topline reporting, while also supporting operating and current expenses and maintaining business continuity.
Regulatory and Development Outlook
Following the financing, Biophytis expects to move from regulatory and operational preparation toward clinical execution of the OBA program. The company also plans to continue development of BIO101 in sarcopenia, including preparation for the Phase 3 SARA-31 study, remaining regulatory activities and implementation of its Hong Kong joint venture.
The placement increased Biophytis’ outstanding share count to 350,132,497 shares before potential warrant exercise. The 127,403,865 warrants carry an exercise price of €0.06 per share and may be exercised for 60 months from issuance. If all warrants are exercised, 127,403,865 additional shares would be issued, resulting in 477,536,362 shares outstanding.
The financing provides Biophytis with resources to advance its Phase 2 obesity program while maintaining parallel development activities in sarcopenia. The planned 2027 initiation of the OBA study and its expected 2028 topline readout represent the next major clinical milestones for BIO101 in metabolic disease.
Reference
Biophytis announces completion of €5.3 million capital increase to fund its phase 2 trial in obesity, Biophytis, 11 September 2026
About the Writer
Rishabha Sonawane, B.Pharm (LinkedIn) is healthcare writer with a strong interest in medical writing, regulatory affairs, clinical research, and AI-driven drug discovery. He has completed specialized training from the NIH and ICMR in clinical pharmacology, clinical research, and scientific writing. Passionate about evidence-based healthcare communication, he focuses on translating complex scientific research into clear, accurate, and engaging medical content.