Pemvidutide - new trials (weight loss)

[AndyG]

Here's an article on a new weight loss peptide:

Link

Summary:

• In a mid-stage trial with 391 participants, 74.5% of the weight loss from pemvidutide came from fat tissue while only 25.5% came from lean muscle mass. This mimics the effects typically seen with diet and exercise.
• Pemvidutide combines the GLP-1 hormone found in Ozempic and Wegovy with the glucagon hormone. Altimmune is also testing it to treat the liver disease NASH.
• Over 30% of participants on the 2.4mg dose achieved 20% weight loss over 48 weeks in a previous trial announced in November.
• The FDA is fast-tracking its evaluation of pemvidutide for NASH treatment after over half of participants in a trial had their liver fat reduced to normal levels after 12 weeks.
• Other weight loss drugs like semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy) have been studied for maintaining muscle mass during weight loss. Companies are interested in preventing muscle loss with obesity treatments.
• Additional data from Altimmune's mid-stage pemvidutide trial will be presented at a future event. NASH trial results are expected in Q1 2025.

The key takeaway is that pemvidutide appears effective for weight loss while preserving lean muscle mass better than some other weight loss drugs, an area of focus for drug developers.