Wave Life Sciences’ siRNA obesity drug has shown promise in various biomarkers in an early-stage trial.
In the Phase I INLIGHT study (NCT06842186), highly significant, dose-dependent Activin E reductions were observed in the first three cohorts dosed with WVE-007.
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Each of the three cohorts evaluated a different dose, 75mg, 240mg and 400mg, with a 56% reduction, 75% reduction and 85% reduction in Activin E, respectively.
In the low dose cohort, Activin E reductions were durable throughout the six-month follow-up, supporting WVE-007’s potential for once or twice-yearly doing.
Based on the data, Wave believes that WVE-007 could achieve fat loss on par with Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy (semaglutide) by six months of follow-up after a single WVE-007 dose, with biomarkers in the middle and higher dose cohorts suggesting the drug could lead to stronger fat loss than was measured in preclinical models.
Wave Life Sciences president and CEO Dr Paul Bolno said: “We are incredibly excited to be observing potent, durable, and dose-dependent Activin E reductions with just single doses of WVE-007 in the first three cohorts of our INLIGHT clinical trial for obesity. This indicates our preclinical data are translating and affirms we have a potential best-in-class RNAi modality.”
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By GlobalDataThe data appears to have excited investors, with the company’s stock rising 9% on 29 October from $7.55 at market open to $8.26 at market close. The stock price is continuing to increase after the market opened on 30 October.
While advancing dose-escalation, there have been no reported serious adverse events, with WVE-007 appearing to be safe and well tolerated to date. An independent data monitoring committee has supported dose expansion to the 600mg cohort and further escalation beyond that.
Additional data, including body composition and body weight, is expected to be released in stages between Q4 2025 and Q2 2026.
This data dropped around the same time as the beginning of a weight loss feud between Pfizer and Novo Nordisk after the latter submitted an unsolicited bid to acquire obesity drug developer Metsera, which had already agreed to a buyout agreement with Pfizer.
Pfizer called Novo Nordisk’s late bid unlawful, but Metsera disagrees, stating it is mulling over the offer.
GlobalData analysts believe that the obesity market will reach $175.3bn in 2031 across the seven major markets (7MM: US, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK, and Japan), making it unsurprising that major pharma companies are battling to make sure they position themselves at the top.
GlobalData is the parent company of Clinical Trials Arena.
