1. Scrip
  2. >>Business
  3. >>Strategy

MetaVia’s ‘Safe’ Obesity Drug Resonates With Analysts, But Not Investors

 
• By Joseph Haas

The biotech reported Phase I multiple-ascending dose data for its obesity drug for the second time in a week, but its safety and tolerability do not offset concerns about relatively unimpressive weight reduction.

commercial bribery
MetaVia shareholders and analysts disagree on prospects for obesity drug DA-1726 (Shutterstock)

MetaVia released new data on 22 April from a Phase I trial of its dual oxyntomodulin analog agonist DA-1726 that it claims might position the drug with a best-in-class safety/tolerability and efficacy profile in obesity, but investors appear unmoved one week after earlier data from the same study caused a more than 50% decrease in the firm’s share price.

Key Takeaways
  • MetaVia reported Phase I data for obesity candidate DA-1726 for the second time in a week, arguing the data show a competitive tolerability profile plus weight loss at four weeks.

DA-1726’s novel mechanism of action mimics the effects of GLP-1 and glucagon receptor agonism, but with a cleaner safety and...

More from Strategy

Tonix Ready To Revive Fibromyalgia Market With Tonyma

 
• By Joseph Haas

The first new drug for fibromyalgia since 2009, Tonyma is a reformulation of cyclobenzaprine intended for chronic therapy. Tonix said the drug targets non-restorative sleep.

Zydus Looks To Ride gIbrance Exclusivity Wave; GLP-1 Battle-Ready With Differentiated Pen

 
• By Vibha Ravi

Ibrance is losing share to other drugs, but Zydus looks forward to a late 2027/early 2028 launch of its generic in the US where partner Synthon might have 180-day exclusivity. In India, as Lilly launches Mounjaro KwikPen, it hopes for a GLP-1 edge with a differentiated device and formulation.

Deal Watch: Lilly Teams With GPCR-Focused Superluminal In Cardiometabolic Disease

 
• By Joseph Haas

Plus deals involving Basilea/Venatorx, CorMedix/Melinta, SERB/Y-mAbs, XOMA/Lava, XOMA/Hillevax, MaxCyte/Adicet/Anocca and Bausch Health/DURECT.

Asia Deal Watch: Lupin Picks Sandoz To Market Lucentis Biosimilar In Parts Of EU And Asia

 
• By Joseph Haas, Sushmita Panda, Xu Hu, Vibha Ravi, and Manas Mishra

Also deals involving Xspray/Handa, Fosun/Expedition, Kaken/Astria, Orchid/Allecra, Sanofi/Visirna, KKR/Healthcare Royalty Partners, Viridian/Kissei, Sandoz/Evotec, Dx&Vx, Dr. Falk/Allianthera, Madrigal/CSPC and Lilly/LTZ.

More from Therapy Areas

Vedanta’s Live Bacteria Reach A Dead End In Ulcerative Colitis

 
• By Andrew McConaghie

The microbiome-based company’s trial of VE202 in ulcerative colitis has failed in Phase II, but its ongoing Phase III study in C difficile infection is more promising.

Post-GLP-1 Patients Are Significant Opportunity, But Response Sees More

 
• By Alaric DeArment

The company will move ahead in testing RDX-002 among overweight and obese patients coming off GLP-1s, but the CEO said antipsychotic-induced weight gain could represent a multibillion-dollar market.

PureTech’s New Spin-Off Wants Partners For Pulmonary Fibrosis Drug

 
• By Andrew McConaghie

Deupirfenidone hit its Phase II endpoint but the program remains risky and PureTech’s new Celea Therapeutics will aim to pull in extra funding for its late-stage development.