Altimmune flexes muscle-sparing, adipose tissue-targeted weight loss

27 Mar 2024
firstwordpharma.com
Phase 2Clinical ResultImmunotherapy
With GLP-1s now firmly established as a weight loss powerhouse, the next goal post for obesity is limiting muscle loss. Now, additional data for Altimmune’s pemvidutide, released Wednesday, suggest that its dual GLP-1/glucagon receptor agonistGLP-1/glucagon receptor agonist could be more effective than others in the class at preserving muscle tissue.
A body composition analysis of the completed Phase II MOMENTUM study showed that about three-quarters of weight loss associated with pemvidutide was derived from adipose tissue, with only about a quarter from lean mass. That ratio is “comparable to the effects historically associated with weight loss from diet and exercise programs,” said CEO Vipin Garg.
Broadly, GLP-1s have seen lean mass account for up to 40% of their associated weight loss. For more, see Spotlight On: How obesity drug developers aim to combat muscle loss.
Altimmune had previously reported 48-week data from the trial showing that a once-weekly 2.4mg injection of pemvidutide led to a mean weight loss of 15.6%.
“Given these new body composition data, the robust reductions in serum lipids, and the class-leading reduction of hepatic fat content, we believe that pemvidutide, if approved, could stand out as an attractive option for weight loss and weight maintenance,” stated chief medical officer Scott Harris.
However, pemvidutide falls short of the high bar set by Eli Lilly’s dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist Zepbound (tirzepatide), which achieved an average weight loss of 22.5% in the Phase III SURMOUNT-1 study, albeit at a 72-week timepoint.
MASH, HepB updates
Altimmune is also evaluating pemvidutide in the Phase IIb IMPACT study in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), a rare, progressive liver disease that saw its first drug approval this month.
The company expects topline 24-week MASH resolution and fibrosis improvement data in the first quarter of 2025.
Meanwhile, Altimmune also disclosed that it has discontinued development of immunotherapy HepTcell after response data from a Phase II trial in patients with chronic hepatitis B infection was “insufficient to warrant further advancement.”
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