German pharmaceutical firm Boehringer Ingelheim has unveiled its plans to advance survodutide (BI 456906) into three registrational Phase 3 studies for individuals living with overweight or obesity.
Co-invented by Boehringer Ingelheim and Zealand Pharma, survodutide is a glucagon/GLP-1 receptor dual agonist that triggers both the glucagon receptors and GLP-1 to control metabolic functions.
This decision was supported by newly released data from a Phase 2 dose discovery study in overweight or obese individuals.
The study showed that after 46 weeks of treatment with survodutide, weight reduction could reach 19%.
Boehringer Ingelheim Human Pharma head Carinne Brouillon said: “With a strong heritage in cardio-renal-metabolic disease, we are continuing to expand and accelerate our portfolio in this area with the aim of bringing survodutide to patients in need as quickly as possible.
“There is a significant unmet medical need for effective treatments for obesity. With its dual mode of action, survodutide has the potential to further improve outcomes for people living with the disease and its associated complications.”
According to the pharmaceutical company, the three global Phase 3 studies that will study the effectiveness and safety of survodutide will now be designed using insights gained from earlier research.
Boehringer will publish the details of the studies before they begin, and patient enrolment is anticipated to occur by the end of this year.
The glucagon/GLP-1 receptor dual agonist is also being evaluated in a Phase 2 study in adults with NASH and liver fibrosis with and without type 2 diabetes for which it received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Fast Track Designation.
Survodutide is part of the company’s research and development portfolio in the cardio-renal-metabolic disease sector.
