Altimmune Targets Obesity Market With Muscle-Preserving Weight-Loss Drug

Altimmune has revealed promising results from its Phase II MOMENTUM study, showcasing the efficacy of its investigational obesity treatment, pemvidutide. The data, presented at the 84th Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association, indicate significant weight loss among adults with obesity while preserving lean muscle mass. 

Patients administered with different doses of pemvidutide experienced notable weight reductions over 48 weeks. Specifically, those on a 1.2-mg dosage saw a 10.3% mean weight loss, those on a 1.8-mg dosage experienced an 11.2% reduction, and those on a 2.4-mg dosage achieved a 15.6% decrease in body weight. In stark contrast, participants given a placebo only lost 2.2% of their body weight over the same period.

A cohort of 50 patients who received pemvidutide also underwent comprehensive body MRI scans. These scans underscored the treatment's ability to preserve lean body mass, revealing that 78.1% of the weight lost was fat, while only 21.9% was lean muscle. Additionally, the treatment led to reductions in serum lipid levels and improvements in blood pressure metrics. Notably, the study did not report any significant increases in heart rate or severe cardiac events.

Altimmune's CEO, Vipin Garg, expressed satisfaction with the outcomes, emphasizing the treatment's ability to maintain lean mass, which is mainly muscle tissue. Garg highlighted that preserving lean mass is crucial for sustaining healthy weight loss and physical function. He further noted that pemvidutide's results surpass those typically achieved through diet and exercise and even outperform other incretin-based weight-loss therapies, which generally see around 40% of weight loss from lean mass.

Garg believes that the degree of muscle preservation seen in the MOMENTUM study might distinguish pemvidutide from other obesity treatments. Pemvidutide functions as a peptide-based agonist of both GLP-1 and glucagon receptors. Activating GLP-1 receptors helps curb appetite, while stimulating the glucagon pathway can enhance energy expenditure and reduce liver fat and serum lipid levels. This combined action simulates the effects of exercise and diet on weight reduction.

Altimmune is preparing for a critical end-of-Phase II meeting with the FDA, scheduled for the third quarter of 2024. If the treatment is approved, pemvidutide could become a significant option for adults battling obesity. Additionally, the biotech firm is investigating the potential of pemvidutide for treating metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) through its Phase II IMPACT study, with preliminary results expected by the first quarter of 2025.

How to obtain the latest research advancements in the field of biopharmaceuticals?

In the Synapse database, you can keep abreast of the latest research and development advances in drugs, targets, indications, organizations, etc., anywhere and anytime, on a daily or weekly basis. Click on the image below to embark on a brand new journey of drug discovery!