Among the emerging therapeutic strategies for type 2 diabetes (T2D), G protein-coupled receptor 119 (GPR119) agonists and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors have demonstrated promise due to their complementary mechanisms of action. GPR119 agonists stimulate glucose-dependent insulin secretion, while DPP-4 inhibitors enhance the duration of incretin hormone activity by preventing their degradation. Together, these mechanisms contribute to improved glycemic control in individuals with T2D.
Remedium Bio Inc. has entered into a multitarget research and development collaboration with Eli Lilly & Co. to advance gene therapies for type 2 diabetes and obesity using Remedium’s Prometheus dose-adjustable gene therapy platform.
Replicate Bioscience Inc. and Novo Nordisk A/S have entered into a multiyear research collaboration that will leverage Replicate’s novel self-replicating RNA (srRNA) platform to develop new therapeutic candidates to treat obesity, type 2 diabetes and other cardiometabolic diseases.
To strengthen its development efforts, Novo Nordisk A/S will collaborate in a deal that could bring Replicate Bioscience Inc. about $550 million. In return, Novo is getting an exclusive, worldwide license to use Replicate’s self-replicating RNA (srRNA) platform to develop the candidates. The two are aiming at targets in cardiometabolic diseases that include treatments for obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Eli Lilly and Co.’s regulatory ducks are lined up nicely with the latest positive top-line results from the phase III Attain-2 trial testing orforglipron, an oral glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, in adults with obesity or overweight and type 2 diabetes.
Innogen Pharmaceutical Group announced an $86 million IPO on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange that will see the company advance its lead product, Diabegone (efsubaglutide alfa), an ultra-long-acting glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist into new global markets for type 2 diabetes as well as other metabolic diseases.
Innogen Pharmaceutical Group announced an $86 million IPO on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange that will see the company advance its lead product, Diabegone (efsubaglutide alfa), an ultra-long-acting glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist into new global markets for type 2 diabetes as well as other metabolic diseases.
Directsens GmbH recently signed a collaboration agreement with Metage, an Austrian research consortium, to advance a test for the early detection of type 2 diabetes. The focus of the partnership will be on validating Directsens’ Xpressgt assay, which measures 2-hydroxybutyrate levels in venous blood, and could be used by clinicians to inform patients they are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Obesity and diabetes are known risk factors for sarcopenia. Insulin resistance that occurs during type 2 diabetes promotes impaired synthesis of muscle protein and muscle breakdown. Juvena Therapeutics Inc. has presented data at ENDO 2025 conference for JUV-161, a novel secreted protein that induces insulin sensitization, regarding its impact on blood glucose and muscle in mice with type 2 diabetes (db/db mice).
An experimental drug for treating diabetes and obesity has been shown to lower blood sugar levels and increase fat burning. It is a β2-adrenergic receptor (β2AR) agonist that mimics the effects of physical exercise by activating skeletal muscle metabolism. Unlike GLP-1-based treatments such as semaglutide and tirzepatide, this new compound, developed by researchers at the Karolinska Institute, Stockholm University, and the biotech company Atrogi AB, does not suppress appetite or cause muscle loss.
