Sciwind Biosciences has announced the start of participant dosing in its Phase IIb trial of its lead glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) drug candidate, XW003, in individuals with obesity.
The GLP-1 analogue XW003 was found to be safe and well-tolerated, and elicited a dose-based drop in weight in prior trials.
The randomised, multicentre, open-label, active-controlled trial will analyse a once-weekly subcutaneous dose of XW003.
Set to be carried out in Australia and New Zealand, the trial will enrol nearly 200 subjects with obesity, who will receive the treatment with XW003 for up to 26 weeks.
The participants will also be followed up for another five weeks without any treatment.
Assessment of tolerability, safety and efficacy of XW003 treatment in obese subjects is the aim of the trial. Top-line results are anticipated in the second half of this year.
The drug candidate XW003 is also being analysed in another trial underway in China enrolling patients with obesity.
Sciwind founder and CEO Dr Hai Pan said: “Initiation of patient dosing in this multicentre, international study for the treatment of obesity is another important milestone for the company and a strong testament to our team’s dedication and capability.
“We are committed to continuing the development of XW003, as well as other drug candidates in Sciwind’s pipeline, for the treatment of metabolic diseases, including obesity, diabetes, and NASH.”
The clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focuses on discovery and development of new treatments for metabolic diseases.
Sciwind has investigated several technologies, such as oral peptide and inhaled protein therapeutics delivery platforms and identified a sequence of therapy candidates based on these technologies.
