NeuroBo, Dong-A ST, and ImmunoForge to Develop Monthly DA-1726 for Obesity

NeuroBo Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology firm dedicated to addressing cardiometabolic diseases, has announced a collaborative research agreement with Dong-A ST Co. Ltd. and ImmunoForge. The partnership aims to develop a once-monthly, long-acting formulation of DA-1726, a dual oxyntomodulin (OXM) analog agonist. This innovative formulation will leverage ImmunoForge's Elastin-Like Polypeptide (ELP) platform technology, designed to extend the half-life of drugs significantly.

Hyung Heon Kim, President and CEO of NeuroBo, highlighted the importance of this collaboration. "The agreement with Dong-A ST and ImmunoForge is a significant move towards developing a long-lasting formulation of DA-1726, which is expected to enhance patient compliance and simplify administration for obesity treatment," said Kim. The goal is to transform DA-1726, currently in Phase 1 clinical trials, into a once-monthly injection. This advancement could potentially address the limitations of converting peptides like DA-1726 into longer-acting forms. Kim expressed optimism about working closely with the partners to bring this first-in-class, monthly obesity treatment to market.

Sung-Min Ahn and Kiho Chang, Co-CEOs of ImmunoForge, also emphasized the collaboration's potential. They noted that this agreement underscores the promising capabilities of their ELP platform technology, which can extend a drug's half-life by up to 200 times. They look forward to applying this technology to NeuroBo's DA-1726, a promising candidate for obesity treatment.

ImmunoForge is known for its innovative drug development, spanning from pre-clinical stages to Phase 2 trials. Their ELP platform technology, developed by Dr. Jim Ballance, significantly extends drug half-lives. The company is currently conducting Phase 2 trials for Froniglutide, a stable drug for various diseases, including Dermatomyositis, Polymyositis, and Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). Pemziviptadil, intended to treat cardiomyopathy associated with DMD and cystic fibrosis, is also in preparation for Phase 2 IND submission to the FDA. Several of ImmunoForge's pipeline candidates have received FDA orphan drug designation.

DA-1726 is a novel oxyntomodulin (OXM) analogue that acts as a dual agonist for GLP-1 and glucagon receptors. It is designed to treat obesity and Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH) through weekly subcutaneous administration. In pre-clinical models, DA-1726 has demonstrated superior weight loss effects compared to other treatments like semaglutide and cotadutide. It also preserves lean body mass and shows improved lipid-lowering effects compared to other analogues.

NeuroBo Pharmaceuticals focuses on developing treatments for cardiometabolic diseases. Their leading products include DA-1241 and DA-1726. DA-1241 is aimed at treating MASH and functions as a GPR119 agonist, promoting the release of gut peptides that positively affect liver inflammation, lipid metabolism, weight loss, and glucose control. DA-1726, on the other hand, is designed to reduce food intake while increasing energy expenditure, aiming for superior weight loss compared to selective GLP1R agonists.

Overall, this collaboration seeks to leverage advanced technology to create a more effective obesity treatment, simplifying patient care and improving outcomes.