A mixed bag of top-line phase II data prompted stellar stock results for Prokidney Corp. and its chronic kidney disease (CKD) and diabetes therapy, rilparencel. The results came from two arms of the study, each with its own treatment regime. The market heartily took to the results as the company’s stock (NASDAQ:PROK) closed 515% upward at $3.73 per share after starting the day under $1 each.

Insparin is a protein isolated from human adenovirus Ad36 that induces cellular glucose uptake without impacting safety. A preclinical study of insparin looked at its potential antidiabetic effects compared to those of pioglitazone.

Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonism is a validated approach for treating obesity. ECC-4703 is a small molecule and liver-targeting compound developed by Eccogene Co. Ltd. It is an agonist of thyroid hormone receptor β (THR-β) and its metabolic impact on preclinical models of obesity in combination with semaglutide was investigated.

ASC-47 is a thyroid hormone receptor β agonist, muscle-preserving weight loss compound for treating obesity developed by Ascletis Pharma Inc. ASC-47 demonstrated a half-life of 26 and 40 days in healthy subjects and in patients with obesity, respectively.

Protagonist Therapeutics Inc. has nominated PN-477 as a development candidate for the treatment of obesity.

Innovent Biologics Inc. announced a HKD$4.3 billion (US$547 million) placement on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange to advance its R&D projects and to fund its global expansion.

Therapies based on glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) are the most effective for treating obesity to date, but their efficacy and tolerability are limited by gastrointestinal side effects and compensatory reduction of energy expenditure.

Synthetic mitochondrial protonophores uncouple ATP production, increasing tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle activity and fat oxidation to meet energy demands. This approach promotes weight loss and may also enhance glycemic control and lipid metabolism.