Superluminal Medicines Inc. has commenced IND-enabling studies for its lead program, an orally administered, highly selective, biased melanocortin MC4 receptor (MC4R) agonist initially targeting rare genetic forms of obesity and hypothalamic obesity, with potential as a treatment for general obesity in combination with GLP-1 drugs. IND submission is expected in the second half of 2026.

Graves disease (GD)-associated hyperthyroidism is an autoimmune disorder characterized by the presence of autoantibodies that stimulate the thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR), leading to excessive production of thyroid hormones.

In drug development, replacing hydrogen atoms with deuterium may help improve the pharmacokinetic profile without altering pharmacodynamic activity.

Stimulating the production of β cells in the pancreas of individuals with type 1 diabetes may be a way to renormalize their glucose metabolism. Researchers from Spain and the U.S. may have moved one step closer to this goal by stimulating formation of new β cells in the pancreas of a mouse model of diabetes using the cyclic peptide THR-123, which binds and activates the receptor for bone morphogenetic protein (BMP).

Palatin Technologies Inc. has announced preclinical results for PL-7737, an oral selective melanocortin MC4 receptor (MC4R) agonist, showing effectiveness in rodent models of obesity.