Lilly partners with Laekna to develop weight-loss biologic

Eli Lilly continues to actively pursue advancements in weight-loss treatments. The pharmaceutical giant has recently entered into a partnership with the biotechnology company Laekna to expedite the development of a new monoclonal antibody called LAE102. This announcement resulted in a substantial increase in Laekna’s stock, with shares jumping nearly 40% on the Hong Kong stock exchange.

LAE102 targets the ActRIIA receptor, which is essential for muscle regeneration and lipid metabolism. Preclinical studies have shown that LAE102 can increase lean muscle mass while decreasing fat mass. When used in combination with a GLP-1 agonist, it has the potential to reduce fat mass even further, while simultaneously helping to recover lean mass lost during treatment. This makes LAE102 a promising candidate for effective weight management.

Under the terms of the agreement announced on Wednesday, Eli Lilly will contribute funding, resources, and expertise to advance LAE102 through Phase I clinical trials, which will include patients suffering from obesity. Despite Lilly's involvement, Laekna will maintain global rights to the drug. Laekna’s CEO, Chris Lu, expressed optimism about the collaboration, citing Lilly’s expertise in the cardiometabolic field as a significant advantage in accelerating the worldwide development of LAE102 and its potential positive impact on those affected by obesity.

Founded in 2016, Laekna has a diverse portfolio that includes LAE103, a selective ActRIIB-targeting antibody, and LAE123, a dual inhibitor for ActRIIA/IIB. Additionally, the company is working on LAE002, also known as afuresertib, a late-stage AKT inhibitor currently undergoing Phase III trials for HR+/HER2- breast cancer and prostate cancer treatment.

Eli Lilly has been increasingly focused on obesity-related collaborations in recent years. In December of the previous year, the company entered into a deal worth approximately $500 million with Fauna Bio. This partnership leverages Fauna Bio’s Convergence AI platform to identify potential drug targets. Earlier this year, Lilly also entered a multi-year agreement with Haya Therapeutics to explore therapies for metabolic diseases within the dark genome. Moreover, just last month, Lilly expanded its collaboration with its long-term partner KeyBioscience to gain rights to several dual amylin calcitonin receptor agonist (DARCA) assets.

These strategic partnerships underscore Lilly’s commitment to advancing treatments for obesity and related metabolic disorders. By combining forces with innovative biotech firms like Laekna, Fauna Bio, and Haya Therapeutics, Lilly aims to leverage cutting-edge technology and expertise to develop effective therapies that address the global obesity epidemic. The collaboration with Laekna, in particular, highlights the potential of LAE102 as a novel approach to weight management, offering hope for improved outcomes for individuals struggling with obesity.