Obesity Treatment Based on Oxyntomodulin Analogue
Dong-A ST and its affiliate Metavia announced on the 5th that they presented the results of the global Phase 1 clinical trial and new preclinical studies of the obesity treatment candidate 'DA-1726' in a poster session at the Obesity Society Annual Meeting, which opened in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, on the 4th.
Dong-A ST
DA-1726 is a new drug candidate being developed as an oxyntomodulin analogue-based obesity treatment. It acts simultaneously on the GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor and the glucagon receptor, suppressing appetite, promoting insulin secretion, and increasing basal metabolic rate in the periphery, ultimately leading to weight loss and improved blood glucose control.
The Phase 1 clinical trial was conducted in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled manner with nine obese adult participants to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of single and multiple doses of DA-1726. Without dose titration, 32 mg of DA-1726 was administered subcutaneously once a week for four weeks.
The study results showed that the DA-1726 group experienced a maximum weight loss of 6.3% (6.8 kg) and an average weight loss of 4.3% (4.0 kg) after 26 days of administration. Waist circumference decreased by up to 3.9 inches (10 cm), with the effects persisting for two weeks after the end of dosing. In addition, dose-linear pharmacokinetics and a mean half-life of 80 hours were confirmed, supporting the possibility of once-weekly dosing.
The newly released preclinical study at this conference was conducted using a diet-induced obesity (DIO) mouse model. DA-1726 promoted weight loss by suppressing appetite and increasing energy expenditure. Despite similar food intake compared to tirzepatide, DA-1726 demonstrated superior weight loss effects, attributable to a significantly greater increase in basal metabolic rate than tirzepatide. This increase in energy expenditure was significant even without changes in physical activity. In addition, DA-1726 led to greater reductions in total cholesterol (T-CHO) and LDL-C, demonstrating the metabolic mechanism associated with glucagon receptor activation.
The weight loss effect of DA-1726 was similar to that of pemvidutide, another compound in the same class, and improvements in body composition, such as fat mass reduction and relative preservation of lean mass, were also observed at similar levels. Furthermore, DA-1726 resulted in greater reductions in total cholesterol, LDL-C, and triglycerides, demonstrating excellent lipid-improving effects.
Metavia has been conducting an additional Phase 1 clinical trial since July, administering 48 mg of DA-1726 for a total of eight weeks to explore the maximum tolerated dose (MTD). The company plans to announce the data by the end of this year, aiming to demonstrate superior weight loss efficacy, safety, and tolerability.
Kim Hyeongheon, CEO of Metavia, stated, "The Phase 1 trial confirmed excellent safety, initial weight loss, waist circumference reduction, and cardiovascular safety. The pharmacokinetic profile and 80-hour half-life support the potential for a once-weekly obesity treatment." He added, "DA-1726 is strengthening its competitiveness as a differentiated obesity treatment, and we will further validate this through the ongoing additional Phase 1 trial exploring the maximum tolerated dose."
Meanwhile, Metavia is a Nasdaq-listed company based in Boston, USA, serving as the global research and development hub of Dong-A Socio Group, responsible for the global development and commercialization of DA-1241, a MASH (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis) treatment, and DA-1726.
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