A new molecule combines the action of two incretins, GLP-1 and GIP, hormones that regulate glucose and appetite, with lanifibranor, a triple agonist of peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPAR α/γ/δ). GLP-1-GIP-Lani enables targeted delivery of the PPAR agonist to cells that express incretin receptors, enhancing weight loss, improving glucose control and reducing inflammation in obese mice. In these models, it surpassed the effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists such as semaglutide and GLP-1-GIP co-agonists such as tirzepatide in reducing body weight, improving glycemic control and enhancing metabolic outcomes during active treatment.

Atrium Therapeutics Inc. has earned a $15 million development milestone payment from Bristol Myers Squibb Co. (BMS) for the successful delivery of a development candidate for the first licensed compound targeting a cardiology indication under the companies’ ongoing collaboration.

There are new data to chew over in the ongoing controversy about obesity being diagnosed as a disease from a study tracking 157,159 participants in the UK Biobank over 13 years. This shows that even in the absence of any metabolic disturbance such as elevated lipids, high blood pressure or diabetes, there is an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, peripheral arterial disease, heart failure and liver disease in people with a body mass index over 30.

Chinese researchers from Zhejiang Yangli Pharmaceutical Technology Co. Ltd. have presented data on an aldosterone synthase inhibitor, VB-19055. Inhibiting aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) could lead to a potential treatment for cardiovascular-renal-metabolic disorders.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a condition that limits tolerance to exercise and predisposes people to sudden cardiac death due to mutations in sarcomeric genes. Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center have tested TY-1, a chemically modified oligonucleotide-based drug inspired by the previously tested EV-YF1, in mice with HCM.

Onkure Therapeutics Inc. has announced an oversubscribed $150 million private placement which the company intends to use to fund the preclinical and clinical development of its next-generation PI3Kα pan-mutant selective inhibitor candidates in breast cancer and vascular anomalies.

Sichuan Primed Shines Bio-Tech Co. Ltd. researchers have published results on their investigation regarding SYW-06 oral dosing and its impact on cognitive function in monkeys submitted to middle-cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO).

Immutrin Ltd. has successfully raised £65 million ($87 million) in series A financing to advance its lead asset through clinical proof of concept in ATTR cardiomyopathy. Immutrin’s novel antibody selectively binds to amyloid fibrils and is engineered to deplete amyloid deposits in tissue via a targeted and coordinated immune response.