Kailera/Hengrui’s GLP-1/GIP Agonist Candidate Could Have Better Efficacy

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.

Magnifying glass over GLP-1 on blackboard
• Source: Shutterstock

Kailera Therapeutics and Hengrui Pharma are stepping into the obesity ring with strong Phase II data for their dual agonist of GLP-1 and GIP for overweight and obesity HRS9531, also known as KAI-9531, which Hengrui is moving through Phase III development in China and which they plan to develop in a global Phase III program as well. The companies see the potential for potentially greater weight loss given the lack of a plateau at 36 weeks.

More from Alimentary/Metabolic

Rhythm Anticipates Smooth Sailing For Setmelanotide After Phase III Success

 

The company plans a tiered sales approach as it targets endocrinologists for hypothalamic obesity, which is more widely diagnosed than its current indication for Bardet-Biedl syndrome.

Vertex Ends One Type 1 Diabetes Cell Therapy, Shifts Focus To Another

 
• By 

Seeking cell therapy approaches to cure type 1 diabetes, Vertex abandons a candidate encapsulated to avoid immune system detection but hopes to file another candidate for approval in 2026.

Novo Scores Cardio Wins But Lilly Still Tipped To Take GLP-1 Crown

 

Novo’s semaglutide has shown its benefits as an injectable in patients with peripheral arterial disease and as an oral agent in cardiovascular outcomes, but stronger results are expected soon from Lilly’s tirzepatide.

Novo Adds Lexicon’s Novel Obesity Drug To Deal Flurry

 

The obesity market leader has unveiled its second deal in days, paying $75m upfront for a potential first-in-class ACSL5 inhibitor, while the deal also provides some respite for Lexicon.

More from Scrip

Epsilogen Hits Antibody Acquisition Trail With TigaTx Takeover

 
• By 

Following the near-total dominance of IgG antibodies, the UK group is backing the potential of IgA and IgE-based therapies to transform cancer treatment with the purchase of US-headquartered TigaTx.

What Is Fuelling Cell And Gene Therapies In India?

 
• By 

Bharat Biotech is the latest entrant in India’s cell and gene therapy (CGT) space, joining majors like Intas Pharma, Sun Pharma, Cipla and Dr. Reddy’s. An indigenously developed CAR-T cell therapy launched last year, what is driving growing interest and success in cell and gene therapies?

Quick Listen: Scrip’s Five Must-Know Things

 
• By 

In this week's episode: pharma dodges tariffs for now; Marks’s departure from FDA rattles industry; Phase 2b win for AstraZeneca’s oral PCSK9; Hengrui renews global Phase 3 push; and Novo’s new cardio results for semaglutide.