AstraZeneca Plc reported positive results in two Phase 2b trials on 8 June for a candidate obesity and diabetes drug with potentially broad applications for cardiometabolic and kidney diseases. The drug, elecoglipron, is a small molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist that can be taken as a pill. It was in-licenced from Eccogene (Shanghai) Co Ltd in 2023 to be the backbone of AstraZeneca’s prospective treatments for obesity and weight-related diseases. By taking a broad therapeutic approach, the company could chart a new path for obesity treatment following the success of the obesity drug pioneers Novo Nordisk A/S and Eli Lilly and Co.
“Despite huge progress in the field of obesity management, significant opportunity remains to deliver broader, sustainable and more meaningful health benefits for the billions of people living with obesity or weight-related complications,” said Melanie Davies, principal investigator for VISTA, one of the two Phase 2b trials.
VISTA, which enrolled 310 adults with obesity or overweight and at least one comorbidity, achieved a 10.5% reduction in body weight at 26 weeks compared with 0.6% for those on a placebo, a dual primary endpoint. The weight loss increased at 36 weeks to 11.8% versus 0.3% for the placebo group. The dose was 75mg. The trial also met the dual primary endpoint which was at least a 5% weight loss at 26 weeks. Up to 88.8% of participants achieved this threshold. In addition, elecoglipron showed clinically meaningful improvements for several cardiometabolic risk factors including lower blood pressure and C-reactive protein levels, a marker of systemic inflammation.
The second trial, SOLSTICE, which enrolled 404 adults with type 2 diabetes achieved a statistically significant average reduction in blood glucose levels of 1.9% at 26 weeks compared with 0.2% in the placebo group, the trial’s primary endpoint. Elecoglipron also demonstrated a clinically meaningful average reduction in body weight of 7.7% at 26 weeks compared with 1.7% for the placebo group. The dose was 75mg. The safety profile of the treatment was consistent with the GLP-1 receptor agonist class, the company said.
Elecoglipron is a small molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist that targets receptors in the gut and hypothalamus to regulate food intake and metabolic function. The drug is progressing to Phase 3.
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