MBX Biosciences Inc. has submitted an IND application to the FDA for MBX-4291, a long-acting glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)/ glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor co-agonist prodrug for the treatment of obesity.
Obesity is a major public health concern, and effective treatments are still elusive. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a crucial regulator of energy homeostasis and has been proposed as a target for metabolic diseases, including obesity. However, most available AMPK agonists target multiple tissues to activate AMPK, which can cause adverse effects.
Bioage Labs Inc. is advancing its apelin receptor (APJ) agonist programs for obesity and other indications, and has entered into an option agreement with Jikang Therapeutics to license a novel APJ agonist nanobody.
Researchers at Chongqing Pharmaceutical Research Institute Co. Ltd. and Yaopharma Co. Ltd. have identified glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists reported to be useful for the treatment of obesity, type 2 diabetes and nonalcoholic or metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (NASH/MASH).
At the recent American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy (ASGCT) meeting, Wave Life Sciences Ltd. presented siRNAs designed to suppress expression of the liver gene inhibin subunit β E (INHBE). Human genetic data show that heterozygous INHBE loss-of-function carriers exhibit a healthy metabolic profile.
Northstrive Biosciences Inc., a subsidiary of PMGC Holdings Inc., has entered into a development and license agreement with Yuva Biosciences Inc. to discover and develop novel pharmaceutical treatments for obesity, type 2 diabetes and other cardiometabolic conditions using Yuva’s mitochondrial science-focused platform Mitonova, powered by AI.
Ibio Inc. has announced data from a non-GLP, nonhuman primate (NHP) pharmacokinetic (PK) study of IBIO-600, the company’s lead asset and a potentially best-in-class long-acting anti-myostatin antibody designed for subcutaneous administration. Results suggest the antibody could provide a significantly extended half-life in humans and a weight loss treatment option while preserving and promoting muscle growth.
As companies continually search for next-generation obesity prospects, one of the leaders in the disease space, Novo Nordisk A/S, has obtained an exclusive license to a preclinical-stage, first-in-class, small-molecule inhibitor of Acyl-CoA synthetase 5 (ACSL5) developed by Lexicon Pharmaceuticals Inc.
