Previous research has demonstrated that activin receptor-like kinase 7 (ALK7) signaling suppresses lipolysis, resulting in increased adipocyte size and lipid content. Additionally, predicted loss of function variants in the ALK7 gene (ACVR1C) have been associated with reduced waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) adjusted for body mass index, protection from type 2 diabetes, as well as reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.
CSPC Zhongnuo Pharmaceutical (Shijiazhuang) Co. Ltd. has described glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists reported to be useful for the treatment of diabetes, obesity, Alzheimer’s disease, overweight and nonalcoholic or metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (NASH/MASH).
Junevity Inc. has raised $10 million in seed funding to support its work creating silencing RNA (siRNA) therapeutics to address metabolic and age-related diseases, including type 2 diabetes, obesity and frailty. The seed funding will be used to enhance the company’s RESET platform and develop its first therapeutic candidates in these indications.
Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) are crucial to maintain oxygen homeostasis by regulating cellular metabolic adaptation under hypoxia conditions. Depletion of factor inhibiting HIF (FIH), an enzyme that negatively regulates the activity of the HIF-1α isoform, has been associated with reductions in hepatic steatosis and body mass in mice.
Helicore Biopharma Inc. has emerged from stealth with $65 million in series A financing and a focus on first-in-class glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP) antagonists for obesity and related conditions. The company’s portfolio includes GIP antibody conjugates designed to address specific obesity subpopulations.
Canary Cure Therapeutics (Canary Global Inc.) has released preclinical results for its lead candidate, CCT-217, an siRNA therapeutic targeting cannabinoid CB1 receptor (CB1R) and zinc finger protein 423 (ZFP423) to treat obesity.
Ibio Inc. has expanded its cardiometabolic and obesity treatment development program by in-licensing a long-acting anti-myostatin antibody from Astralbio Inc. The antibody, now named IBIO-600, was identified by Astralbio using Ibio’s proprietary technology stack.
Hoth Therapeutics Inc. has entered into an exclusive patent license agreement with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), providing Hoth with exclusive rights to a jointly owned patent portfolio co-developed by the VA and Emory University.
Wave Life Sciences Ltd. has submitted a clinical trial application (CTA) for WVE-007, an investigational GalNAc-conjugated small interfering RNA (siRNA) designed to silence inhibin βE (INHBE) gene expression, for the treatment of obesity.
Bio-path Holdings Inc. has conducted preclinical studies of BP-1001-A, a drug product modification of prexigebersen, confirming its effectiveness in affecting insulin signaling for the potential treatment of obesity and related metabolic diseases in type 2 diabetes patients.
