The pursuit of effective weight loss medications has intensified, driven by the increasing prevalence of obesity and the limitations of existing treatments. Muscle mass preservation has emerged as a critical consideration in this field. Companies are actively developing innovative therapies to rival Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy and Ozempic, as well as Eli Lilly’s Zepbound. These new therapies aim to provide more durable benefits while minimizing muscle loss.
Élancé Therapeutics and the Bispecific Antibody Approach
Harbour BioMed recently introduced Élancé Therapeutics, a new biotechnology company focused on developing bispecific antibody drugs for obesity. Élancé aims to prioritize therapies that address the shortcomings of current weight loss medicines, such as better preserving muscle or providing more durable benefits. To support its work, Élancé will utilize an AI platform from Nona Biosciences.
Gilead Sciences' HIV Medicine and Potential Weight Loss Applications
While primarily known for its work in antiviral therapies, Gilead Sciences' advancements in HIV medicine might have implications for weight management. After obtaining promising Phase 1 study data, Gilead Sciences plans to move directly into Phase 3 testing of once-yearly formulations of its HIV medicine lencapavir as a preventive treatment. Results from that Phase 1 trial showed blood plasma concentrations of lenacapavir remained above 95% effective levels for at least 56 weeks with either of two tested formulations, Gilead said Tuesday. The annual dosing formulations are being developed as intramuscular shots, rather than the subcutaneous version that proved effective as a twice-yearly regimen.
It's important to note that there is no direct evidence provided in the text that Gilead Sciences is developing a specific "weight loss drug". The information regarding Gilead Sciences relates to their HIV medicine, lencapavir, and its potential use as a preventive treatment. Any connection to weight loss would require further information and context.
Other Players in the Pharmaceutical Landscape
Beyond Gilead Sciences and Élancé Therapeutics, other companies are making strides in various therapeutic areas.
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- Biogen: Biogen has begun late-stage testing for what the company describes as a "key asset" in its pursuit to become a bigger player in immunology research. A trial codenamed "Transcend" plans to enroll around 120 kidney transplant patients who are experiencing antibody-mediated rejection, or AMR, meaning their bodies view the organ as a foreign invader and are deploying the immune system to attack it. The drug, called felzartamab, was originally developed by MorphoSys, but most rights were sold to another company, HI-Bio, in 2022. Novartis and Biogen have since bought the two developers, respectively.
- Geron: Geron recently received approval for its first drug, Rytelo, for myelodysplastic syndromes.
- Johnson & Johnson and Genmab: Johnson & Johnson has passed on an opportunity to license a Genmab drug for multiple myeloma, deciding against exercising its option on the Danish company’s HexaBody-CD38. While Genmab said Monday data for the drug looked promising, it won’t move forward with developing the drug on its own after reviewing the market landscape and its own development priorities. The companies had partnered on HexaBody-CD38 - a would-be successor to the CD38-targeting Darzalex - in 2019. As part of that arrangement, Genmab provided J&J with data from a proof-of-concept study comparing the drug to Darzalex. Genmab said the news does not affect its 2025 financial guidance.
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