▎WuXiEdited by the Kant Content Team

$215 Million Boosts Development of Next-Generation Obesity and Metabolic Disease Therapies

Metsera RecentlyPublicationSignificant and sustained weight loss effects of its GLP-1 receptor agonist MET-097i in Phase 1/2 clinical trials. As a potential once-monthly injectable GLP-1 receptor agonist, MET-097i is designed using Metsera's HALO lipidation platform.On Day 36 of the trial, the MET-097i group achieved a 7.5% weight loss compared to baseline, with the drug's half-life reaching 380 hours.Based on these positive clinical data, Metsera has initiated a Phase 2 clinical trial for obese and overweight populations, with preliminary data expected to be released in the first half of 2025. The 13-week randomized extension study from the previously announced Phase 1/2 clinical trial is currently ongoing. If these trials are successful, Metsera plans to subsequently initiate a Phase 3 clinical trial for MET-097i.

The company has initiated a single-dose and multi-dose escalation clinical trial for its investigational therapy MET-233i.MET-233i is an ultra-long-acting injectable amylin analog designed for once-monthly administration, targeting obese and overweight populations. MET-233i is a drug specifically developed by Metsera for co-administration and co-formulation with MET-097i, featuring matched solubility parameters and half-life.

Metsera has also initiated the clinical trial of its oral GLP-1 receptor agonist MET-002.The company has developed the proprietary MOMENTUM platform to optimize the oral delivery of peptide drugs.

Activating Regulatory T Cells, TRex Bio, Inc. Completes $84 Million Series B Financing

TRex Bio Announces $84 Million Oversubscribed Series B Financing to Advance Lead Candidate TRB-061 Toward Early Clinical Proof-of-ConceptThis is a specially designed TNFR2 agonist for treating patients with immune-mediated diseases (such as atopic dermatitis and ulcerative colitis).

TNFR2 is a receptor that is highly expressed on regulatory T cells (Tregs), which have immunosuppressive effects in the skin and gut.TRB-061 aims to selectively activate TNFR2 and activate Tregs in tissues to address various inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.TRex Bio Plans to Initiate Phase 1 Clinical Trial of TRB-061 in the First Half of 2025. This financing will also support the company’s pipeline expansion, including the early development of candidate drug TRB-071. TRB-061 will become the second program from TRex Bio's proprietary platform to enter clinical development, following the first program, TRB-051, which is currently being evaluated in a Phase 1 trial in collaboration with Eli Lilly and Company. Additionally, TRexBio is collaborating with Johnson & Johnson on a preclinical program.

▲To learn more about the application of cutting-edge technologies in the biopharmaceutical industry, please long-press and scan the QR code above to access "WuXi Live Studio" and watch live discussions and exciting replays on related topics.