MetaVia has announced positive statistically significant results from the eight-week, non-titrated 48mg, multiple ascending dose (MAD) cohort of its Phase I clinical trial of DA-1726. 

DA-1726 is a novel, dual oxyntomodulin (OXM) analogue agonist that functions as a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP1R) and glucagon receptor (GCGR), for the treatment of obesity.  

The results show robust early weight loss, statistically significant reductions in waist circumference, strong improvements in glucose control, and meaningful reductions in liver stiffness, alongside a favourable safety and tolerability profile. 

In the non-titrated 48mg cohort, patients experienced no treatment-related discontinuations, and gastrointestinal events were mild to moderate in severity.  

By day 26, patients receiving DA-1726 achieved an average weight reduction of 6.1% and a decrease in waist circumference of 5.8cm. These improvements deepened through day 54, with an average weight loss of 9.1% and a 9.8 cm reduction in waist circumference.  

Patients also demonstrated a 12.3mg/dL improvement in fasted glucose from a baseline of 105.3mg/dL by Day 54. In addition, vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE) indicated a 23.7% reduction in liver stiffness from a baseline of 5.9 kPa, suggesting a significant direct hepatic effect from DA-1726. 

Hyung Heon Kim, President and Chief Executive Officer of MetaVia, commented: “We believe the statistically significant waist reductions reflect the glucagon component of DA-1726, which may contribute to deeper visceral fat loss than GLP-1 agonists alone. 

“We also observed meaningful metabolic improvements. These findings are especially important because the vast majority of people with obesity – ranging from 70% to 80% –have diabetes or prediabetes, and diabetic patients typically receive broader insurance coverage for anti-obesity therapies. DA-1726 has the potential to be the most effective GLP-1/glucagon dual agonist in development that has demonstrated glucose lowering without elevations, which may offer both clinical and reimbursement advantages.”

Diana Turner, Deputy Editor, DDW