Alimentary/Metabolic
Semaglutide 7.2mg bests placebo for weight loss at 72 weeks, but with efficacy lower than seen with Novo Nordisk’s CagriSema or Lilly’s Zepbound.
The company is moving quickly to bring its antibody oligonucleotide conjugates to patients in three separate muscular dystrophy diseases, causing unease for its rivals.
The company believes its WVE-007 can improve on GLP-1 agonists by preserving muscle mass while also not interfering with the pleasure of eating. Promising mouse data are still to be confirmed in humans, however.
The companies announced Phase II data showing a 22.8% mean weight reduction, but with no plateau, suggesting potentially further weight loss as time goes on.
The Phase IIa data for the next-generation GLP-1 agonist showed a decent efficacy profile with weekly dosing, but the company said it also supports giving the drug monthly.
IgA nephropathy has gone from having zero to three approved treatments in just a few years, with over half a dozen more in late-stage development. But there are still many unknowns.
While quieter than some recent years, 2024 did produce several clinical trial readouts destined to have an impact on their respective markets. Here, in roughly chronological order, Scrip takes a look at the 10 clinical stories that got readers clicking the most over the past 12 months.
A flurry of big readouts are expected in the supercharged obesity/diabetes space, with Novo Nordisk looking to make up ground against its rival Eli Lilly.
While Pfizer’s analysts’ meeting cheered its investors with clear guidance, Novo Nordisk presented disappointing obesity data. The true value of CagriSema cannot be estimated without more information, however.
Efficacy for the drug came in below investors’ expectations for beating Lilly’s Zepbound, while analysts said a lower percentage of people remaining on the highest dose suggested tolerability issues.
The keenly awaited REDEFINE 1 study of Novo Nordisk’s combination anti-obesity agent has disappointed, despite it providing nearly 23% weight loss over the 68-week study. The data leave the company in a less competitive position than hoped in the fast-changing obesity market.
Adam Steensberg talked to Scrip about his firm’s vision for obesity treatment, Zealand’s independence from neighbor Novo Nordisk, and the hunt for a partner for its amylin candidate, petrelintide.
Bouncing back from an FDA clinical hold in June, Biomea Fusion’s menin inhibitor has shown some early promise in a Phase II study in type 2 diabetes. The company is setting its sights on correcting beta-cell deficient patients with the drug’s unique mechanism.
Teva reported Phase IIb data for its anti-TL1A agent in ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s that the company called transformational and analysts deemed potentially best in class.
Looking to diversify in the face of competition to its main earner, Ruconest, the Netherlands-based Pharming may have bagged itself a rare disease bargain with Abliva.
Founder Ken Mulvany has returned to the artificial intelligence drug discovery specialist determined to ensure it plays to its “foundational strengths.” The UK firm has therefore initiated a major restructuring plan, along with the intention to delist from Euronext Amsterdam.
The US election result brought stock market volatility especially to pharma and biotech companies but the poster children for approved GLP-1 agonists and vaccines were initially the hardest hit.
The company discontinued the Phase II STRIDES study testing azelaprag as monotherapy and in combination with Lilly’s tirzepatide in obesity.
Zepbound led to greater weight loss versus Wegovy in a Phase III trial, bolstering its position as the superior product in the fast-growing obesity space.
Emerging Company Profile: Resalis will soon start human trials of an oligonucleotide targeting a microRNA that is overexpressed in obese mice, but much remains to be proven in humans.