Halia Therapeutics Unveils Promising Obesity Data: HT-6184 and Semaglutide Combo Boosts Weight Loss, Preserves Muscle

LEHI, Utah, Sept. 23, 2024 -- Halia Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company specializing in treatments for inflammation-related diseases, has announced encouraging preclinical data for their investigational drug HT-6184 in combination with the GLP-1 agonist semaglutide. This study highlights the compound's potential in significantly enhancing weight loss and preserving lean muscle mass in a diet-induced obesity (DIO) mouse model, which is pivotal for effective obesity management.

During the 28-day study, the mice treated with the combination of HT-6184 and semaglutide showed a substantial increase in weight loss. Specifically, the combination of HT-6184 with a low dose of semaglutide (1 nmol/kg) led to 50% more weight loss compared to semaglutide alone. When combined with a higher dose of semaglutide (2 nmol/kg), the combination demonstrated 25% greater weight loss than semaglutide alone, effectively surpassing the typical weight loss plateau observed with semaglutide over this period. Furthermore, the combination therapy also preserved lean mass, showing a 10% improvement in lean mass retention compared to the group treated only with semaglutide by the end of the study.

Dr. David Bearss, Chief Executive Officer at Halia Therapeutics, expressed optimism about these preclinical findings, noting HT-6184's potential as a transformative obesity therapy. He emphasized that the combination of HT-6184 with semaglutide not only enhances weight loss but also preserves lean muscle mass, which is crucial for maintaining overall metabolic health. This dual effect addresses the complex biological factors involved in obesity more comprehensively.

Key highlights of HT-6184 include:

1. **Synergistic Weight Loss**: The combination of HT-6184 and semaglutide resulted in 50% greater weight loss with low doses and 25% greater weight loss with higher doses compared to semaglutide alone.

2. **Lean Mass Preservation**: Unlike current treatments that often result in muscle loss, the HT-6184 combination helped maintain lean body mass, achieving a 10% greater preservation than treatment with semaglutide alone.

3. **Anti-inflammatory Mechanism**: HT-6184 targets inflammation, a major factor in obesity-related metabolic dysfunction.

4. **Potential in Type 2 Diabetes**: Preliminary studies also suggest that HT-6184 may offer benefits for Type 2 Diabetes by reducing inflammation and improving insulin sensitivity.

Halia will be presenting these findings at the 22nd Annual Discovery on Target Conference in Boston, MA, on September 30, 2024. Dr. David Bearss will give a presentation titled "Allosteric Modulation of NEK7 to Inhibit the NLRP3 Inflammasome," which will cover HT-6184's mechanism of action targeting the interaction between NEK7 and NLRP3 to disrupt inflammatory pathways. This presentation will also discuss the potential implications of these preclinical results for human trials and the future outlook for obesity treatments.

In addition, Dr. Bearss will participate in a panel discussion on 'Novel Kinase Modulators' during the event.

Halia plans to advance HT-6184 into a Phase 2 clinical trial for obesity later this year. This trial aims to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of HT-6184 in combination with semaglutide for weight loss in adults who are obese or overweight with related comorbid conditions.

About Halia Therapeutics, Inc.
Halia Therapeutics is dedicated to discovering and developing groundbreaking therapies for chronic inflammatory disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. The company's lead candidate, HT-6184, is a novel NEK7/NLRP3 inhibitor that has completed a Phase I study evaluating its safety and tolerability in healthy volunteers and is undergoing a Phase II trial for lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (LR-MDS). Halia is headquartered in Lehi, Utah.