Rhythm Pharmaceuticals Inc.’s sales with Imcivree (setmelanotide) in weight management could exceed $1 billion by 2028 if hypothalamic obesity (HO) is added to the label of the drug, Oppenheimer analyst Leland Gershell said in a report. Boston-based Rhythm rolled out positive top-line data from the pivotal phase III study called Transcend with the melanocortin-4 receptor agonist in HO. The global trial met its primary endpoint with a statistically significant and highly clinically meaningful reduction in body mass index in adult and pediatric HO patients vs. placebo.
The I148M mutation in the PNPLA3 gene, which encodes patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein 3, is known to confer risk of fatty liver, cirrhosis and hepatic inflammation, which may lead to hepatocellular carcinoma or metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH).
Ibio Inc. has announced data from a non-GLP, nonhuman primate (NHP) pharmacokinetic (PK) study of IBIO-600, the company’s lead asset and a potentially best-in-class long-acting anti-myostatin antibody designed for subcutaneous administration. Results suggest the antibody could provide a significantly extended half-life in humans and a weight loss treatment option while preserving and promoting muscle growth.
Although the causes of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are unclear, researchers know this condition leads to endometrial dysfunction in women who have hormonal imbalances, and insulin resistance. Now, a study led by scientists at the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden has revealed the cellular and genetic differences that distinguish this disorder in the first atlas of the human endometrium during the proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle.
The latest obesity contender, Antag Therapeutics A/S, has dosed the first participants in a phase I trial of a glucose-dependent insulinotrophic polypeptide (GIP) agonist it said will address key gaps in the current treatment options, not least the gastrointestinal side effects seen with GLP-1 agonists.
In type 2 diabetes patients, inadequate hyperglycemic control can lead to insulin-secreting β-cell exhaustion, dedifferentiation and eventual loss. Since adult β cells have limited proliferative capacity, this final stage cannot be reversed.
Relacorilant, a cortisol modulator from Corcept Therapeutics Inc., produced new and strong phase III results in treating platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. The company also has relacorilant in studies that could eventually lead to approval in other indications. In the near term, though, the positive data led to the company’s stock (NASDAQ:CORT) closing 109% higher at $114.22 per share on March 31.
Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is a serine protease, the expression of which increases with pathogenic fibroblasts in the fibrotic liver during metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and might induce fibrosis by cleaving several proteins that regulate extracellular matrix turnover and metabolism, including α2-antiplasmin (α2-AP) and fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21). Astrazeneca plc recently presented new results on their research regarding their oral small-molecule FAP inhibitor, AZD-2389, as a candidate drug for treating MASH.
As companies continually search for next-generation obesity prospects, one of the leaders in the disease space, Novo Nordisk A/S, has obtained an exclusive license to a preclinical-stage, first-in-class, small-molecule inhibitor of Acyl-CoA synthetase 5 (ACSL5) developed by Lexicon Pharmaceuticals Inc.
As companies continually search for next-generation obesity prospects, one of the leaders in the disease space, Novo Nordisk A/S, has obtained an exclusive license to a preclinical-stage, first-in-class, small-molecule inhibitor of Acyl-CoA synthetase 5 (ACSL5) developed by Lexicon Pharmaceuticals Inc.
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