https://www.bioworld.com/rss en-us Scoring high marks on two more phase III obesity trials, this time involving serious type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular complications, Eli Lilly and Co. has cleared the path for a BLA filing for its triple-G candidate retatrutide, which many expect will eventually surpass the top two marketed drugs in the space. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732852 Thu, 23 Jul 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732852-lillys-triple-g-retatrutide-best-in-class-as-bla-filing-nears Feet on scale Mindrank AI Ltd. completed a $52 million series B round to advance MDR-001, its AI-discovered oral small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist, which is in phase III trials for obesity in China. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732667 Tue, 14 Jul 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732667-chinas-mindrank-raises-52m-series-b-to-advance-oral-glp-1 Blue digital dollar sign Mindrank AI Ltd. completed a $52 million series B round to advance MDR-001, its AI-discovered oral small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist, which is in phase III trials for obesity in China. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732583 Mon, 13 Jul 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732583-chinas-mindrank-raises-52m-series-b-to-advance-oral-glp-1 Blue digital dollar sign Corxel Pharmaceuticals Ltd.’s oral small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist, CX-11, met the primary endpoints in a phase II trial evaluating the candidate in obese and overweight patients in the U.S., according to top-line results. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732349 Tue, 30 Jun 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732349-corxel-vincentages-oral-glp-1-meets-phase-ii-obesity-endpoints Glass of water and tablets Corxel Pharmaceuticals Ltd.’s oral small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist, CX-11, met the primary endpoints in a phase II trial evaluating the candidate in obese and overweight patients in the U.S., according to top-line results. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732050 Wed, 24 Jun 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732050-corxel-vincentages-oral-glp-1-meets-phase-ii-obesity-endpoints Glass of water and tablets Chinese peptide therapeutics developer Shaanxi Micot Pharmaceutical Technology Co. Ltd. is seeking up to HK$1.22 billion (US$155 million) in a Hong Kong IPO to advance its lead phase III chronic kidney disease candidate, MT-1013, and next-generation obesity therapies. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/732154 Tue, 23 Jun 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/732154-chinas-micot-targets-hk12b-ipo-to-advance-metabolic-portfolio IPO, coins, upward arrow Chinese peptide therapeutics developer Shaanxi Micot Pharmaceutical Technology Co. Ltd. is seeking up to HK$1.22 billion (US$155 million) in a Hong Kong IPO to advance its lead phase III chronic kidney disease candidate, MT-1013, and next-generation obesity therapies. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731909 Wed, 17 Jun 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731909-chinas-micot-targets-hk12b-ipo-to-advance-metabolic-portfolio IPO, coins, upward arrow For the long-term impact of GLP-1 therapies in obesity to be realized, they must be paired with data and digital tools. While the drugs are effective, challenges are well known, such as loss of muscle mass loss, compliance and accessibility. With more treatments moving through the pipeline, innovation and technology will be key to supporting long-term use, delegates heard at the HLTH Europe conference in Amsterdam on June 17. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731908 Wed, 17 Jun 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731908-glp-1s-need-technologies-for-long-term-use Wireframe of feet and scale Chinese diabetes specialist Gan & Lee Pharmaceuticals is strengthening its position in metabolic disease after reporting positive phase III data for both once-weekly basal insulin candidate Ludefen and obesity therapy bofanglutide. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731983 Tue, 16 Jun 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731983-chinese-challenger-gan-and-lee-gains-momentum-in-metabolic-disease Blood glucose chart and monitor, stethoscope, injector pen Chinese diabetes specialist Gan & Lee Pharmaceuticals is strengthening its position in metabolic disease after reporting positive phase III data for both once-weekly basal insulin candidate Ludefen and obesity therapy bofanglutide. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731876 Mon, 15 Jun 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731876-chinese-challenger-gan-and-lee-gains-momentum-in-metabolic-disease Blood glucose chart and monitor, stethoscope, injector pen GLP-1 receptor agonists remained center stage at the 2026 Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association with Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH and Astrazeneca plc, joining the leaders, Eli Lilly and Co. and Novo Nordisk A/S, in presenting data for their respective GLP-1 drugs. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731706 Tue, 09 Jun 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731706-glp-1s-and-more-weigh-in-at-ada Close-up of injector pen in hands Posting another win for its triple G agonist, Eli Lilly and Co. rolled out top-line phase III data from Triumph-1 showing that all doses of retatrutide met primary and key secondary endpoints for obesity, with participants losing on average between 19% and 28.3% of body weight and significantly improving their cardiovascular risk factors. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731371 Thu, 21 May 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731371-another-triumph-lillys-triple-g-agonist-scores-in-obesity Feet on scale and measuring tape Vincentage Pharma Co. Ltd.’s once-daily oral small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist, VCT-220, met the primary endpoints in a pivotal phase III trial in overweight or obese patients in China. Based on the top-line data, the Chengdu, China-based company plans to submit an NDA for chronic weight management to China’s National Medical Products Administration. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731330 Tue, 19 May 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731330-vincentages-oral-glp-1-meets-phase-iii-obesity-endpoints Oral medication Eli Lilly and Co.’s buyout of Ventyx Biosciences Inc. for $1.2 billion at the start of the year brought to the forefront NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inhibitors on which a handful of developers have been working, and research in the space continues to roll out, as with the paper published March 26 in Nature that delved into mechanisms that rev up the NLRP3 inflammasome. Nature that delved into mechanisms that rev up the NLRP3 inflammasome.]]> http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731061 Wed, 13 May 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731061-in-the-mix-post-ventyx-more-nlrp3s-to-seize NLRP3 inflammasome In a deal that could be worth up to $1 billion for Suzhou Siran Biotechnology Co. Ltd. (Siranbio), GSK plc licensed exclusive worldwide rights to the siRNA oligonucleotide SA-030, which has recently entered phase I trials for cardiometabolic disease. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731226 Tue, 12 May 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731226-gsk-licenses-sirna-asset-in-1b-deal-for-siranbio Illustration of siRNA structure Shares of MBX Biosciences Inc. hit a 52-week high on preliminary phase I data for its MBX-4291, a GLP-1/GIP co-agonist prodrug for obesity. Though early and still blinded, findings from the trial showed promising efficacy, along with good tolerability and the potential for once-monthly dosing, factors that will likely be critical for MBX to compete in the crowded obesity space. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731031 Mon, 11 May 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731031-mbx-highlights-early-data-for-monthly-obesity-drug-mbx-4291 Injector pen and spiraling measuring tape In a deal that could be worth up to $1 billion for Suzhou Siran Biotechnology Co. Ltd. (Siranbio), GSK plc licensed exclusive worldwide rights to the siRNA oligonucleotide SA-030, which has recently entered phase I trials for cardiometabolic disease. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/730864 Wed, 06 May 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/730864-gsk-licenses-sirna-asset-in-1b-deal-for-siranbio Illustration of siRNA structure When the U.S. CMS didn’t get takers for its voluntary Better Approaches to Lifestyle and Nutrition for Comprehensive Health (BALANCE) model to cover obesity drugs under Medicare Part D, the agency punted. It announced late April 21 that it will indefinitely delay the BALANCE model in Medicare but extend its temporary Medicare GLP-1 Bridge demonstration model through the end of 2027. (The Medicaid BALANCE model will still kick in this year in states that choose to participate in it.) http://www.bioworld.com/articles/730497 Wed, 22 Apr 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/730497-cms-to-bridge-coverage-for-obesity-drugs-as-balance-teeters Generic injection pens Kailera Therapeutics Inc.’s “obesity-first” approach continues to resonate with investors, with the company pricing an upsized IPO, offering 39 million shares at $16 apiece for gross proceeds of $625 million. Full exercise of the underwriters’ option could add another $93.8 million, bringing the total to nearly $719 million, easily topping Sana Biotechnology Inc.’s $675.6 million 2021 IPO and setting a new record for U.S. biopharma IPOs, according to BioWorld data. BioWorld data.]]> http://www.bioworld.com/articles/730403 Fri, 17 Apr 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/730403-obesity-focused-kailera-goes-for-us-biopharma-record-with-625m-ipo Gold IPO with chart Wall Street met with satisfaction but not surprise Eli Lilly and Co.’s undeniably positive top-line results from the phase III Achieve-4 study testing the efficacy and safety of Foundayo (orforglipron) compared to insulin glargine in adults with type 2 diabetes and obesity or overweight at increased cardiovascular risk. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/730389 Thu, 16 Apr 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/730389-lillys-glp-1-foundayo-aces-mace-in-dili-of-a-phase-iii Foundayo Credit: Eli Lilly and Co. Eli Lilly and Co.’s buyout of Ventyx Biosciences Inc. for $1.2 billion at the start of the year brought to the forefront NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inhibitors, on which a handful of developers have been working – and research in the space continues to roll out, as with the paper published March 26 in Nature that delved into mechanisms that rev up the NLRP3 inflammasome. Nature that delved into mechanisms that rev up the NLRP3 inflammasome.]]> http://www.bioworld.com/articles/730313 Wed, 15 Apr 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/730313-in-the-mix-post-ventyx-more-nlrp3s-to-seize NLRP3 inflammasome More than four decades on from the approval of the first biologic drug, the industry has reached a tipping point, and biotech drugs now outnumber small molecules in the global R&D pipeline. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/730418 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/730418-biologics-in-development-outnumber-small-molecules-for-the-first-time Drug research illustration 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. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/730369 Mon, 13 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/730369-fit-and-fat-study-shows-no-such-thing-as-metabolically-healthy-obesity Woman exercising with hand weights 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. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/730222 Fri, 10 Apr 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/730222-fit-and-fat-study-shows-no-such-thing-as-metabolically-healthy-obesity Woman exercising with hand weights More than four decades on from the approval of the first biologic drug, the industry has reached a tipping point, and biotech drugs now outnumber small molecules in the global R&D pipeline. At the start of the biotech industry, progress was slow. Between 1983 and 1995, the U.S. FDA approved an average of two biologics each year. Now, biologics have taken the lead by the smallest of margins, accounting for 50.1% of drugs in development at the start of 2026, according to the Pharma Annual Review 2026, published by Pharmaprojects, a firm that tracks global pharma R&D. Pharma Annual Review 2026, published by Pharmaprojects, a firm that tracks global pharma R&D.]]> http://www.bioworld.com/articles/730343 Fri, 10 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/730343-biologics-in-development-outnumber-small-molecules-for-the-first-time Drug research illustration More than four decades on from the approval of the first biologic drug, the industry has reached a tipping point, and biotech drugs now outnumber small molecules in the global R&D pipeline. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/730211 Thu, 09 Apr 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/730211-biologics-in-development-outnumber-small-molecules-for-the-first-time Drug research illustration Ambrosia Biosciences Inc., named after the drink of the Greek gods, secured a $100 million series B to advance its preclinical pipeline of oral obesity drugs. The startup formed after Pfizer Inc. shuttered its Boulder, Colo.-based research facility that the pharma gained through its 2019 acquisition of Array Biopharma Inc. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/730076 Thu, 02 Apr 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/730076-ambrosia-slurps-up-a-100m-series-b-for-its-oral-obesity-drug-pipeline Pills, bottle, scale and-measuring tape Eli Lilly and Co. anticipates shipping newly approved Foundayo (orforglipron) within the next week, as the drug becomes the second oral weight-loss glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist to enter the U.S. market following December’s approval of Novo Nordisk A/S’ Wegovy (semaglutide) pill. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/729976 Wed, 01 Apr 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/729976-lillys-foundayo-enters-oral-glp-1-obesity-market-with-speedy-fda-nod Eli Lilly logo atop Lilly Biotechnology Center campus in San Diego, Calif. Credit: MichaelVi - stock.adobe.com A next-generation triple incretin therapy jointly developed by Novo Nordisk A/S and China’s United Biotechnology outperformed semaglutide in a phase II trial, signaling intensifying competition in the GLP-1 obesity and diabetes market. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/730088 Tue, 31 Mar 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/730088-china-developed-triple-incretin-enters-global-diabetes-race Illustration of glucose molecules in a bloodstream Introduced last year as a pilot program, the U.S. FDA Commissioner’s National Priority Voucher (CNPV) could be here to stay – at least for the duration of Marty Makary’s tenure as FDA commissioner. Since the FDA unveiled the CNPV last June, it has welcomed 18 products from 16 companies into the “game-changer” program for patients, as Makary described it. The goal is to provide an “ultrafast review pathway,” one to two months instead of the standard 10 to 12 months, for drugs and biologics of strategic national importance while maintaining the FDA’s scientific and regulatory standards, according to the agency. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/729950 Mon, 30 Mar 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/729950-us-fda-pondering-next-steps-for-cnpv Paper airplanes with red leading