Regeneron Warns GLP-1 Weight-Loss Drugs May Do More Harm Than Good Without Addressing Muscle Loss

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Clinical data show that 25% of the weight loss after injecting Eli Lilly's drug comes from the reduction of lean body mass (i.e., fat-free mass, = body weight - fat weight), while 40% of the weight loss after injecting Novo Nordisk's drug is due to the decrease in lean body mass. Currently, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is advancing research on a new drug experiment aimed at reducing muscle loss caused by weight-loss drugs.

The popularity of weight-loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy once sparked a "gold rush" in the pharmaceutical industry. However, while pharmaceutical companies rushed to capitalize on the trend, George Yancopoulos, co-founder of pharmaceutical giant Regeneron, issued a warning.Unless the issue of rapid muscle loss associated with treatment is addressed, weight-loss miracle drugs may "do more harm than good."。

According to the Financial Times, Regeneron is currently advancing research on a new drug experiment aimed at reducing muscle loss caused by weight-loss medications. Yancopoulos, who also serves as the company's Chief Scientific Officer, stated:

“Clinical studies show that patients receiving the new weight-loss drug (GLP-1) treatment experience muscle loss much faster than those who lose weight through diet or exercise, which can lead to health issues.”

According to a study published in the 2024 Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA),Two in five patients stop treatment within a year, meaning they may rebound to their original weight with less muscle and a higher percentage of body fat., which is undoubtedly "adding insult to injury" for them. Yancopoulos stated, "I do believe that GLP drugs should raise significant concerns in practical use, as they may lead to continuous changes in body composition. In the long run, the disadvantages outweigh the benefits."

Notably, the weight-loss drug market dominated by Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly could be worth $130 billion annually. To enter this market, Regeneron, a company specializing in antibody therapies, is testing a drug called trevogrumab in mid-stage trials. The drug can block hormones that limit muscle growth and is being used in combination with Wegovy. According to reports,The first clinical data from the second phase trial of this drug is expected to be released in the middle of next year.。

According to data from industry tracking firm Citeline, the company is developing 11 myostatin drugs, seven of which are being studied for obesity. In addition, Regeneron is also considering whether to advance its once-a-month GLP-1 injectable, which has been tested on mice, to the clinical trial stage.

Despite concerns about the drug, Yancopoulos stated that Regeneron is "considering becoming a player in the GLP-1 class." He said:

"I'm not sure if GLP-1 class drugs are really the ultimate answer, as they may have significant long-term issues. We all want to gain 10 pounds of muscle, lose 10 pounds of fat, and still eat whatever we want — that’s the ideal world. But none of us wants to feel nauseous, get sick, and lose muscle. I do believe... an ideal future would be one where we can fight metabolic diseases in a better and healthier way."

In fact, as early as last year, Eli Lilly acquired Versanis, a Boston-based biotech company, for $1.9 billion to obtain its muscle-protection therapy as a complement to its weight-loss drug. Clinical data shows that after injecting the drug from Eli Lilly,Of this, 25% of the weight loss comes from the reduction in lean body mass (i.e., fat-free mass, = body weight - fat weight)., whereas 40% of the weight loss after taking Novo Nordisk's drug is due to the reduction in lean body mass. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that "these drugs should be used in conjunction with diet and exercise."

But Novo Nordisk stated that the clinical data "did not indicate that the reduction in lean body mass was greater than the reduction in fat mass after treatment with semaglutide." Eli Lilly did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

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Editor: Yu Jian SF069