17 Oct 2023 • The investigational incretin receptor agonist pemvidutide produced significant weight loss and other cardiometabolic benefits in a phase 2 randomized trial, adding a different type of "twincretin" to a growing mix of incretin-based weight-loss drugs in development that also offer additional benefits. Pemvidutide's GLP-1 receptor agonism reduces appetite, inflammation, and gastric emptying, while glucagon agonism increases lipolysis, mobilizes fat, and increases energy expenditure

Results of a new 24-week interim analysis of data from the phase 2 pemvidutide trial, called MOMENTUM, were presented October 3 at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) 2023 Annual Meeting.

Pemvidutide is in development for the treatment of obesity and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) but not type 2 diabetes, as its effect on glucose is neutral.

Pemvidutide Lowers Weight, LDL, Triglycerides, and Blood Pressure

• In an analysis of 160 participants, the percent body weight loss at 24 weeks was 10.7%, 9.4%, and 7.3% with the 2.4-mg, 1.8-mg, and 1.2-mg doses, respectively
• Significant reductions in total cholesterol and triglyceride levels were also seen at week 24 by 16.5% and 25.0%, respectively, with the 2.4-mg dose. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels also dropped, although not significantly; high-density lipoprotein levels dropped significantly
• Systolic blood pressure dropped by 5.5 mm Hg, and diastolic blood pressure dropped by 1.8 mm Hg in the 2.4-mg group and by lesser degrees among the patients who received lower doses.
• Glucose homeostasis was preserved in all groups throughout the 24 weeks.
• As with all drugs in the incretin class, gastrointestinal adverse events were common.

The full 48-week data for MOMENTUM will be announced in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Source: Medscape | Read full story