MetaVia Confirms Excellent Weight Loss Effect of Obesity Drug 'DA-1726' in Additional Phase 1 Clinical Trial

Average Body Weight Reduced by 9.1% After 8 Weeks of Administration

MetaVia, an affiliate of Dong-A ST, announced on January 6 that in an additional Phase 1 clinical trial to determine the maximum tolerated dose of its dual GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) and glucagon agonist 'DA-1726', which is under development as an obesity treatment, the drug demonstrated excellent weight loss effects, blood glucose reduction, and decreased liver stiffness.

This clinical trial was conducted with nine healthy adults with obesity and a body mass index (BMI) of 30-45 kg/m². Participants received either 48 mg of DA-1726 or a placebo once weekly for four or eight weeks.

In the group administered 48 mg of DA-1726, gastrointestinal side effects were mild to moderate and did not lead to treatment discontinuation, confirming the drug's favorable tolerability. After four weeks, the average body weight decreased by 6.1% (6.6 kg) and waist circumference by 5.8 cm (2.3 inches). After eight weeks, the average body weight decreased by 9.1% (9.6 kg) and waist circumference by 9.8 cm (3.8 inches), demonstrating the superior visceral fat reduction effect of the dual GLP-1 and glucagon agonist DA-1726 compared to GLP-1 monotherapy.

Notably, on day 54 of administration, fasting blood glucose decreased from 105.3 mg/dl to 93 mg/dl, entering the normal range. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) also dropped significantly from 6.0% to 5.5%, confirming a meaningful blood glucose-lowering effect. This suggests the drug may also help treat diabetes or prediabetes in obese patients.

In addition, a VCTE test, a non-invasive tool for measuring liver stiffness and a biomarker for MASH drug development, showed that after 54 days of DA-1726 administration, liver stiffness decreased by 23.7% compared to the baseline value of 5.9 kPa, confirming the direct effect of DA-1726 on the liver.

DA-1726 is a new drug candidate being developed as an obesity treatment in the oxyntomodulin analogue class. By acting simultaneously on GLP-1 and glucagon receptors, it suppresses appetite, promotes insulin secretion, and increases basal metabolic rate in peripheral tissues, ultimately leading to weight loss and blood glucose control.

Based on the weight loss and tolerability confirmed in this additional Phase 1 trial, MetaVia plans to conduct a dose-escalation Phase 1 clinical trial, with the first stage escalating up to 48 mg of DA-1726 and the second stage up to 64 mg, over a total of 16 weeks.

Kim Hyeongheon, CEO of MetaVia, stated, "Through this additional Phase 1 clinical trial, we have reconfirmed the excellent weight loss effect of DA-1726, as well as its blood glucose-lowering and liver stiffness-reducing effects. Through the upcoming 16-week clinical trial, we will further solidify its potential and competitiveness as a next-generation obesity treatment."