With full phase II results in hand, MBX Biosciences Inc. backers are stacking the odds of parathyroid hormone (PTH) peptide prodrug canvuparatide (canvu) against Yorvipath (palopegteriparatide} from Ascendis Pharma A/S, a PTH analog cleared by the U.S. FDA in August 2024 for hypoparathyroidism (HP).

Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor (GIPR) signaling regulates key metabolic processes, including postprandial insulin secretion, appetite control, lipid storage and overall energy balance. Researchers from Antag Therapeutics Aps presented preclinical efficacy data on the combination of AT-7687, a GIPR antagonist, and cagrilintide in obese insulin-resistant monkeys.

In a repeat move, the U.S. FDA issued yet again a complete response letter (CRL) to Camurus AB for its subcutaneous extended-release injection drug CAM-2029 (octreotide) to treat the rare chronic growth disorder acromegaly. The drug, which expects to be branded Oclaiz in the U.S. upon approval, is called Oczyesa in the EU and the U.K., where it received marketing authorization in 2025.

Laekna Inc. is handing ex-China rights to internally discovered PI3Kα pan-mutant selective inhibitor LAE-118 to U.S.-based Vasque Bio Inc. in a deal worth up to $527 million, marking another asset-monetization move by the Shanghai company as it looks to fund and accelerate development across its oncology and metabolic disease pipeline.

Former principal officers of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) have hit back at the association’s board and CEO after it prohibited the distribution of an editorial published in its flagship journal Diabetes Care at the ADA’s meeting in New Orleans last Friday.

Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) compounds have become game changers in the treatment of obesity, but they have limitations due to long-term efficacy, lean mass preservation and tolerability in certain populations. Mitorx Therapeutics Ltd. has presented data for MTRX-31 (Myo-004), a mitochondrial-targeted compound that provides an alternative mode of action for treating obesity.

Researchers from Verdiva Bio Ltd. and collaborators recently presented preclinical data on VRB-103, an oral amylin analogue, comparing its profile with those of cagrilintide and eloralintide, two subcutaneously administered analogues currently in clinical development.

Researchers from Ractigen Therapeutics Co. Ltd. presented preclinical data on LiCO-saUcp1, a small activating RNA (saRNA) therapeutic designed to upregulate UCP1 expression in adipose tissue.

Liraglutide, a glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist used in diabetes and obesity, could alleviate depression through a pathway that does not depend on the GLP-1 receptor but instead on the gut microbiota, since the treatment increases the presence of the bacterium Lactobacillus delbrueckii. This symbiotic microorganism produces a lipid that modulates neuronal activity, normalizing the hyperactivation of brain regions in mice involved in emotional processing, which ultimately reduces depressive behaviors.