Altimmune, a biotech company, has announced promising trial results for its weight loss drug. The drug not only helped patients shed weight but also minimized the loss of muscle mass in a mid-stage trial. This finding sets Altimmune apart from other companies in the weight loss drug market.
In recent years, there has been a growing demand for weight loss drugs, attracting both interest from investors and potential competition among biotech companies. However, one major concern with these treatments is the potential loss of muscle mass, which can increase the risk of injuries and decrease strength.
Altimmune’s trial results provide hope that these concerns can be addressed. In the late-stage trial, more than 74% of the weight lost by patients came from fat tissue, while only 25.5% came from lean mass. These results are similar to what is often seen with traditional diet and exercise programs for weight loss.
The average weight loss for patients taking Altimmune’s medicine was 15.6% after 48 weeks in the trial, with weight loss continuing even after treatment. This data is significant as excessive loss of lean mass has been associated with negative outcomes such as a gradual loss of muscle mass and strength, as well as bone fractures, particularly in women and the elderly.
Comparatively, in a clinical trial on Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide, researchers found that participants lost about 15 pounds of lean muscle and 23 pounds of fat over a 68-week period. These results indicate a higher rate of lean mass decline than what was observed in Altimmune’s trial. However, it is important to note that Altimmune still needs to conduct late-stage trials on its drug to determine its full potential in comparison to existing weight loss treatments.
Altimmune’s drug, called pemvidutide, works differently from Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide. While semaglutide suppresses appetite by mimicking a hormone produced in the gut called GLP-1, Altimmune’s drug activates GLP-1 and another gut hormone called glucagon, which increases energy expenditure. This distinction in mechanism could give Altimmune an edge in the weight loss drug market.
Aside from weight loss, Altimmune is also developing its drug to treat metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), a common form of liver disease. This diversification in potential applications could further solidify Altimmune’s position in the biotech industry.
It is worth mentioning that other obesity drug manufacturers, such as Eli Lilly, are also working on preserving muscle mass in their weight loss treatments. Eli Lilly is currently testing a combination of its weight loss drug with a monoclonal antibody from Versanis Bio to help patients lose weight while preserving muscle mass. This focus on addressing the muscle-loss aspect of weight loss indicates that the industry is recognizing the importance of maintaining lean mass during the weight loss process.
In conclusion, Altimmune’s promising trial results for its weight loss drug demonstrate its potential to address a major concern in the market – the loss of muscle mass. With a significant percentage of weight loss coming from fat tissue rather than lean mass, Altimmune’s drug shows promise in providing high-quality weight loss. As the company continues its late-stage trials and further develops its drug, it may gain an edge over existing weight loss treatments. Additionally, Altimmune’s focus on addressing metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis adds further potential to its product portfolio. The competition among biotech companies in the weight loss drug market is intensifying, with other players also striving to preserve muscle mass. Overall, these advancements offer hope for individuals seeking effective and safe weight loss solutions.
