Immunic Inc (NASDAQ:IMUX) has released new data that supports the potential of its investigational therapeutic IMU-856 as an oral treatment for weight management.
IMU-856, a small molecule that targets SIRT6 - a protein that regulates many cellular processes, including metabolism - demonstrated a dose-dependent increase in endogenous glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) levels in a post hoc analysis of patients from a phase 1b clinical trial in celiac disease.
In the phase 1b trial, fasting-state GLP-1 blood concentrations were measured between baseline and day 28, revealing a statistically significant and dose-dependent increase in GLP-1 levels versus placebo.
Further, IMU-856 demonstrated a dose-dependent reduction of body weight gain and food consumption in a six-month preclinical in vivo study.
"This newly released clinical and preclinical data demonstrating IMU-856's potential positive effect on GLP-1 and food consumption is an exciting development for Immunic's oral small molecule program," Immunic CEO Dr Daniel Vitt said in a statement.
"Data from our phase 1b clinical trial in celiac disease patients showed, under fasting conditions, a dose-dependent increase of naturally occurring GLP-1 levels of up to 250 % versus placebo. This compares favorably to the typical physiological 2 to 3 times increase in GLP-1 in healthy humans after a meal, indicating that IMU-856 may replicate the natural effect after eating.”
Vitt noted that the company’s convenient, once-daily small tablet could represent an oral treatment option for obesity, a market expected to reach more than $170 billion by 2031.
“Our IMU-856 program offers the potential for immediate phase 1b or phase 2 clinical testing. As such, we will continue to analyze the findings and assess any next steps,” the CEO said.
The update was welcomed by investors, who sent Immunic’s shares 11.4% higher in early trade on Thursday.