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One other potential competitor to blockbuster obesity treatments from Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk just showed positive data – but this time, it’s from China.
An experimental weekly injection developed by Chinese drugmaker Hengrui Pharma and its U.S.-based partner, Kailera Therapeutics, succeeded in a late-stage trial in China, putting the drugmakers on target to hunt approval there.
Kailera is amongst several corporations, equivalent to Merck, Novo Nordisk and Regeneron, which have tapped the Chinese market in quest of a drug that would win a slice of the booming weight reduction drug market. In May 2024, Kailera licensed rights outside of the Greater China region to multiple experimental drugs from Hengrui in return for greater than $100 million in upfront and near-term payments, a 20% equity stake and nearly $6 billion in future milestones.
Here’s how the drug, dubbed HRS9531, performed within the trial: It helped patients lose nearly 18% of their body weight on average after 48 weeks, which is greater than 16% greater weight reduction than those on a placebo saw.
Almost 9 in 10 individuals who received the injection lost a minimum of 5% of their body weight, and 44.4% of patients achieved a minimum of 20% weight reduction, in response to a release from the businesses. There was no plateau in weight reduction at 48 weeks.
The businesses didn’t disclose specific safety data or how well patients tolerated the drug, only saying those results were consistent with previous data on the treatment and other GLP-1s. Most antagonistic events from the injection were gastrointestinal-related and mild to moderate in severity, the businesses said.
Hengrui will file an approval application for the drug in China. Meanwhile, Kailera will start global studies that use higher doses and keep patients on the treatment for longer, the startup’s CEO Ron Renaud said in the discharge.
It’ll likely still take several years before HRS9531 enters the market, particularly within the U.S. and other nations outside of China. However the drug’s results look like promising, and position it as a possible competitor to Eli Lilly’s weekly weight reduction injection Zepbound.
Each drugs work by activating two naturally produced hormones within the body: glucagon-like peptide-1, generally known as GLP-1, and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide, or GIP. The mix is claimed to slow the emptying of the stomach, making people feel full for longer and suppressing appetite by slowing hunger signals within the brain.
Across two phase three trials enrolling roughly 3,000 adults with obesity or Type 2 diabetes, Zepbound helped patients lose a mean of as much as 21% of their body weight over 72 weeks.
It’s difficult to directly compare results from different clinical trials, especially because the latest results on HRS9531 were only from greater than 500 patients. However the drug still achieved significant weight reduction over 48 weeks, raising hopes about its potential over an extended time period.
Meanwhile, Novo Nordisk’s weekly injection Wegovy only targets GLP-1.
Be happy to send any suggestions, suggestions, story ideas and data to Annika at annikakim.constantino@nbcuni.com.
Latest in health-care tech: 23andMe co-founder Wojcicki’s nonprofit acquires genetic testing company
Anne Wojcicki, co-founder and chief executive officer of 23andme Inc., through the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin, Texas, US, on Friday, March 10, 2023.
Jordan Vonderhaar | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Well folks, after a protracted saga, Anne Wojcicki has officially regained control of the embattled genetic testing company 23andMe.
Wojcicki co-founded 23andMe and served as CEO until the corporate filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in March. Her recent nonprofit, TTAM Research Institute, has accomplished its acquisition of the Personal Genome Service and Research Services business lines of 23andMe, the corporate announced on Monday.
“As a part of TTAM, 23andMe is continuous to operate and supply customers with personalized DNA testing and research services,” the corporate said in a release. “TTAM is committed to providing customers with selection and transparency with their data, including the choice to alter their decision on whether to take part in research.”
TTAM is an acronym for the primary letters of 23andMe, in response to The Wall Street Journal.
23andMe rocketed into the mainstream with at-home DNA testing kits that gave customers insight into their family histories and genetic profiles. However the five-time CNBC Disruptor 50 company struggled to generate recurring revenue and arise viable research and therapeutics businesses after going public.
When it became clear that 23andMe’s financials were shaky, Wojcicki submitted several proposals to take the corporate private while she was still its chief executive. Those plans were unsuccessful, and he or she ultimately needed to compete against other prospective buyers in a bankruptcy auction.
And, after all, there have been some unexpected twists.
In May, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals announced it could purchase most of 23andMe’s assets for $256 million after it got here out on top through the bankruptcy auction. But Wojcicki submitted a separate $305 million bid through TTAM and pushed to reopen the auction.
A month later, she did just that, and TTAM announced that it had successfully outbid Regeneron.
“I’m thrilled that TTAM Research Institute will give you the chance to proceed the mission of 23andMe to assist people access, understand and profit from the human genome,” Wojcicki said in a June statement.
Be happy to send any suggestions, suggestions, story ideas and data to Ashley at ashley.capoot@nbcuni.com.
