Lisata Therapeutics has acquired Marea Therapeutics in a stock-for-stock transaction and closed a concurrent USD 225 million private placement, in a deal that shifts the company’s focus from oncology toward two mid-stage cardioendocrine programs.
Following the transactions, former Marea shareholders hold approximately 59.54% of the combined company, while investors in the private placement own about 38.07%. Pre-existing Lisata shareholders retain approximately 2.39%, underscoring the scale of the strategic transformation. The financing is expected to fund the combined company through key Phase II data readouts planned for Q4 2027 and into 2028.
Lisata issued 1,793,129 shares of common stock and 211,365 shares of Series C non-voting convertible preferred stock to acquire Marea. The private placement involved a further 150,868 Series C preferred shares at approximately USD 1,491 per share. The preferred stock is convertible into common stock at a ratio of 1,000:1, subject to shareholder approval. Investors included RA Capital Management, Third Rock Ventures, Forbion, Perceptive Advisors, Omega Funds, and Sofinnova Investments.
Marea’s lead program, MAR001, is a monoclonal antibody targeting angiopoietin-like protein 4 (ANGPTL4), with the aim of increasing lipoprotein lipase activity, lowering triglycerides, and improving adipose tissue function. The program is supported by human genetic evidence linking loss-of-function ANGPTL4 variants with lower triglyceride levels and improved metabolic outcomes.
MAR001 is currently being evaluated in a Phase IIb study in patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia. Marea is also developing MAR005, a half-life-extended follow-on molecule intended for Phase III development.