Alimentary/Metabolic
Maziar Mike Doustdar has led the company’s international operations and will succeed Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen on August 7.
In its Q2 update, Viking reported that Phase III trials of subcutaneous VK2735 are under way, and that it expects Phase II data for an oral formulation before year’s end.
In this series of articles, we look at different mechanisms of actions beyond GLP-1s that could determine the obesity drug landscape in the coming years. First on our list – amylin receptor agonists, which analysts expect to grow into a $50bn market opportunity.
The go-ahead to resume a trial for its only drug candidate, zetomipzomib, in hepatitis could give Kezar a glimmer of hope of reviving another halted study in lupus nephritis.
With China’s Hengrui reporting successful Phase III data for its dual GLP-1/GIP agonist, licensee Kailera is readying plans to demonstrate better efficacy than current obesity drugs.
After posting encouraging Phase II results, the company plans to meet with the US FDA about using data from an ongoing Phase III study for an accelerated approval.
Emerging Company Profile: Early-stage biotech Eolo will seek cash and deals for its novel obesity drug SANA after positive Phase I results for weight loss, lean muscle mass preservation and fat mass reduction.
The company announced plans to move an oral GLP-1/GIP/GCG receptor agonist peptide into clinical development for obesity in 2026.
Altimmune’s stock price did not recover on June 27, after a 57% dip the day before, despite efforts to position pemvidutide as both resolving MASH and offering weight loss.
The late-stage biotech posted results from the maintenance extension portion of its Phase IIb QUALITY trial in which enobosarm reduced weight regain and helped preserve lean mass in patients who discontinued their semaglutide weight-loss treatment.
Novo Nordisk debuts Wegovy in India, gears for pole position in obesity. The Danish group’s leadership doesn’t appear too perturbed about the head start for Lilly’s Mounjaro or the imminent arrival of generic semaglutide next year.
MariTide demonstrated solid 52-week weight loss in a Phase II update, but high rates of vomiting. Amgen is adjusting dosing in Phase III to seek a better tolerability profile.
Bimagrumab added to Wegovy increased weight loss and preserved muscle mass, but analysts want to see more safety and efficacy results from a combination with Zepbound.
Multiple Chinese firms presented at this year’s ADA meeting, with a focus on weight reduction efficacy for mostly early clinical stage assets. While limited information was given on lean mass preservation, several companies are progressing drugs and combos to address this need.
As competition heats up and the obesity market matures, the two frontrunners are tailoring their studies to the wants and needs of different patient groups.
The off-the-shelf stem cell therapy shows sustained glycemic control and a high rate of insulin independence.
The company’s oral GLP-1 candidate has reassured on its safety at the American Diabetes Association meeting, convincing analysts it will open up new global markets.
The company said it intends to maintain a focus on rare neuromuscular disease with apitegromab but could consider partnering in obesity.
Deal Snapshot: Including its internal efforts with bimagrumab, Lilly has been seeking a muscle-sparing therapy to complement GLP-1 obesity drugs, such as Zepbound.
Novo Nordisk will partner with privately held Deep Apple to study a novel, non-incretin target that could be better suited than GLP-1s for long-term obesity treatment.