MBX Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: MBX) has recently made a significant advancement in the field of precision peptide therapies with the dosing of the first participant in its phase 1 trial of MBX 4291 for the treatment of obesity. The company's president and chief executive officer, Kent Hawryluk, emphasized the importance of this milestone in addressing the global public health issue of obesity.
MBX 4291, a precision endocrine peptide™ (PEP™) glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)/ glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) co-agonist prodrug candidate, has shown positive preclinical results and is designed to be a best-in-class weight loss prodrug. The potential for convenient once-monthly administration, improved weight loss, and better gastrointestinal tolerability compared to currently available treatment options sets MBX 4291 apart.
The phase 1 trial, which is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled first-in-human study, aims to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of single and multiple ascending doses of MBX 4291 in adult participants with obesity. This trial includes both single ascending dose (SAD) and multiple ascending dose (MAD) stages, with the plan to evaluate multiple ascending doses of MBX 4291 over 12 weeks in up to two cohorts. Participants in the trial are expected to receive up to a total of 12 study intervention administrations, with increasing doses of MBX 4291.
In preclinical studies, the active component of MBX 4291 has demonstrated a similar activity profile and body weight loss as tirzepatide, an approved weekly GLP-1/GIP co-agonist. Additionally, extended duration of action of the active component of MBX 4291 was observed in additional preclinical studies compared to tirzepatide, supporting the potential for once-monthly administration.
MBX Biosciences is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of novel precision peptide therapies for the treatment of endocrine and metabolic disorders. Its pipeline includes other candidates such as canvuparatide (MBX 2109) for chronic hypoparathyroidism and imapextide (MBX 1416) for post-bariatric hypoglycemia, both in phase 2 development, in addition to multiple discovery and pre-clinical obesity candidates.
This significant progress underscores MBX Biosciences' commitment to addressing unmet medical needs and making advancements in the treatment of endocrine and metabolic disorders. Today the company's shares have moved -1.17% to a price of $14.40. For the full picture, make sure to review MBX Biosciences's 8-K report.
