Although the development pipeline for obesity treatments is expanding rapidly, weight loss is often accompanied by a concurrent reduction in lean muscle mass, highlighting the need for novel therapeutic approaches that promote fat loss while preserving muscle. Activin type II receptors (ACTRIIA/B) are regulators of muscle homeostasis, while the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor (GIPR) plays a role in energy balance and adiposity.

Preclinical findings have shown matrix metalloproteinase 7 (MMP-7) inhibition confers antifibrotic effects and thus, is a promising therapeutic strategy to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Changchun Genescience Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. has presented data on the siRNA technology-based MMP-7 inhibitor GenSciP117 for treating IPF.