GLP-1 receptor agonist (Metsera)

-Transenteric delivery of incretin triagonist GLP-1, GIP, glucagon receptors mimicking the RaniPill route of administration elicits rapid weight loss and bioavailability comparable to subcutaneous injection - - New pharmacokinetic data provides further evidence of the RaniPill platform’s potential to enable oral delivery of multiple obesity treatments - - Phase 1 study for RT-114, an oral GLP-1/GLP-2 dual agonist for the treatment of obesity, expected to initiate in 2025 - SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rani Therapeutics Holdings, Inc. (“Rani Therapeutics” or “Rani”) (Nasdaq: RANI), a clinical-stage biotherapeutics company focused on the oral delivery of biologics and drugs, today announced new pharmacokinetic data from a preclinical study evaluating a GLP-1, GIP and glucagon receptors incretin triagonist with a delivery method mimicking the RaniPill route of administration. A previous study with this incretin triagonist delivered transenterically demonstrated pharmacodynamic effects comparable to subcutaneous injection. Rani also previously completed a study demonstrating oral delivery of GLP-1 receptor agonist with high bioavailability via the RaniPill capsule. “The pharmacokinetic data announced today combined with the previously announced pharmacodynamic data further highlight the RaniPill’s potential to serve as a novel delivery platform for incretin triagonists, a next generation modality for the treatment of obesity,” said Talat Imran, Chief Executive Officer of Rani Therapeutics. “Overall, the totality of RaniPill preclinical data presented to date is promising and provides scientific validation for the potential of the RaniPill to replace painful injections with oral alternatives with differentiated dosing flexibility for multiple obesity drug candidates. Looking ahead, we are focused on execution of a Phase 1 clinical trial for RT-114, a RaniPill capsule containing ProGen’s GLP-1 / GLP-2 dual-agonist, PG-102, and we are evaluating options to move forward with one or more additional molecules in the obesity space.” Data Highlights The preclinical study evaluated the pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) profiles of an incretin triagonist (GLP-1, GIP, glucagon receptors) when delivered via an endoscope-guided transenteric administration to mimic the RaniPill route of administration, versus the traditional administration route of subcutaneous (SC) injection. The study was conducted in canines separated into two groups. In Group 1 (N=3), 0.12 mg/kg of drug was administered via transenteric delivery by endoscope. In Group 2 (N=5), 0.12 mg/kg of drug was administered by SC injection. Blood samples were collected over 2 weeks for analysis of serum drug concentrations and various PD and safety biomarkers. A single dose of drug delivered via either transenteric or SC routes elicited rapid decreases in body weight and serum lipids. Weight loss observed following transenteric delivery was 9.7 ± 2.5 % versus 6.9 ± 2.1 % following SC injection and is believed to be due to early satiety leading to reduced caloric intake. Additionally, the bioavailability of drug delivered via the transenteric route was comparable to that of drug delivered via the SC route at the same dose. The drug was well tolerated in both groups with no serious adverse events (SAEs) observed or changes in safety markers examined. Transenteric delivery via the RaniPill yielded 80% relative bioavailability versus SC and differences between PK parameters (AUC, Cmax, Tmax) were not statistically significant. AUC (nmol*h/L)Cmax (nmol/L)Tmax (h)Transenteric26963.3 ± 5520.0334.3 ± 32.816.7 ± 10.4SC33509.5 ± 1576.1311.5 ± 26.124 ± 0.0 About Rani Therapeutics Rani Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotherapeutics company focused on advancing technologies to enable the development of orally administered biologics and drugs. Rani has developed the RaniPill® capsule, which is a novel, proprietary and patented platform technology, intended to replace subcutaneous injection or intravenous infusion of biologics and drugs with oral dosing. Rani has successfully conducted several preclinical and clinical studies to evaluate safety, tolerability and bioavailability using RaniPill® capsule technology. For more information, visit ranitherapeutics.com. Forward-Looking Statements Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include statements regarding, among other things, the potential opportunity for the RaniPill platform to enable oral delivery of multiple obesity drug products, the potential for the transenteric delivery via endoscope of an incretin triagonist to mimic the RaniPill route of delivery, the expected initiation of a Phase 1 trial of RT-114 in 2025, the potential for the RaniPill to serve as a novel delivery platform for incretin triagonists, the likelihood that weight loss in the preclinical study of the incretin triagonist was caused by early satiety leading to reduced caloric intake, the belief that the preclinical data are reflective of the potential contributions the RaniPill capsule can make to the GLP-1 receptor agonist space and the broader obesity market, and the potential for Rani to use the RaniPill platform to replace painful injections with oral alternatives with differentiated dosing flexibility for multiple obesity drug candidates. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Words such as “believed,” “potential,” “expected,” “looking ahead,” “intended” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon Rani’s current expectations and involve assumptions that may never materialize or may prove to be incorrect. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of various risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties associated with Rani’s business in general and the other risks described in Rani’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Rani’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and subsequent filings and reports by Rani. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made and are based on management’s assumptions and estimates as of such date. Rani undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made, except as required by law. TrademarksTrade names, trademarks and service marks of other companies appearing in this press release are the property of their respective owners. Solely for convenience, the trademarks and trade names referred to in this press release appear without the ® and ™ symbols, but those references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that we will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights, or the right of the applicable licensor to these trademarks and tradenames. Investor Contact:investors@ranitherapeutics.com Media Contact:media@ranitherapeutics.com Charts accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cd69bfb8-05d6-4457-b231-74fbae7b6537 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4dc9ac35-87a7-48d7-a985-335cbeb40650

MIAMI, FL, Oct. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Veru Inc. (NASDAQ: VERU), a late clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative medicines for preserving muscle for high quality weight loss, oncology, and viral induced acute respiratory distress syndrome, today announced that the Company will present at the World Obesity and Weight Management Congress, taking place October 24-26, 2024, in Baltimore, Maryland. Keynote Presentation Name: Advancing enobosarm, an oral novel Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator (SARM), to avoid muscle loss and augment fat loss when combined with a Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist (GLP-1 RA) drugs for potentially higher quality weight lossDate: October 25, 2024Start and end time: 9:40 AM – 10:20 AM Eastern Daylight TimeLocation: Best Western Plus Hotel & Conference Center, Baltimore, MD Additional information on the meeting can be found on the following website: https://obesityworldconference.com/ About the Enobosarm Phase 2b clinical trialThe Phase 2b, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, dose-finding clinical trial is designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of enobosarm 3mg, enobosarm 6mg, or placebo as a treatment to preserve muscle and augment fat loss in 168 patients with sarcopenic obesity or overweight elderly (>60 years of age) patients receiving semaglutide (Wegovy®). The primary endpoint is total lean body mass, and the key secondary endpoints are total body fat mass and physical function as measured by stair climb test at 16 weeks. The Phase 2b clinical trial is actively enrolling patients from up to 15 clinical sites in the United States. Topline clinical results from the trial are expected in January of 2025. After completing the efficacy dose-finding portion of the Phase 2b clinical trial, it is expected that participants will then continue in blinded fashion into a Phase 2b extension clinical trial where all patients will stop receiving a GLP-1 RA, but will continue taking placebo, enobosarm 3mg, or enobosarm 6mg for an additional 12 weeks. The Phase 2b extension clinical trial will evaluate whether enobosarm can maintain muscle and prevent the fat and weight gain that occurs after discontinuing a GLP-1 RA. The topline results of the separate blinded Phase 2b extension clinical study are expected in calendar Q2 2025. About Sarcopenic ObesityAccording to the CDC, 41.5% of older adults have obesity in the United States and could benefit from a weight loss medication. Up to 34.4% of these obese patients over the age of 60 have sarcopenic obesity. This large subpopulation of sarcopenic obese patients is especially at risk for taking GLP-1 drugs for weight loss as they already have critically low amount of muscle due to age-related muscle loss. Further loss of muscle mass when taking a GLP-1 RA medication may lead to muscle weakness leading to poor balance, decreased gait speed, mobility disability, loss of independence, falls, bone fractures and increased mortality which is a condition like age-related frailty. Because of the magnitude and speed of muscle loss while on GLP-1 RA therapy for weight loss, GLP-1 RA drugs may accelerate the development of frailty in older obese or overweight elderly patients. About EnobosarmEnobosarm (aka ostarine, MK-2866, GTx-024, and VERU-024), a novel oral daily selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM), has been previously studied in 5 clinical studies involving 968 older normal men and postmenopausal women as well as older patients who have muscle wasting because of advanced cancer. Advanced cancer causes the loss of appetite where there is significant unintentional loss or wasting of both muscle and fat mass which is similar to what is observed with in patients taking GLP-1 RA drugs. We believe the totality of the clinical data from these previous five clinical trials demonstrates that enobosarm treatment leads to dose-dependent increases in muscle mass with improvements in physical function as well as significant dose-dependent reductions in fat mass. The patient data that were generated from these five enobosarm clinical trials in both elderly patients and in patients with a cancer induced appetite suppression provide strong clinical rationale for enobosarm. The expectation is that enobosarm in combination with a GLP-1 RA would potentially augment the fat reduction and total weight loss while preserving muscle mass. Enobosarm has a large safety database, which includes 27 clinical trials involving 1581 men and women, some of which included patients dosed for up to 3 years. In this large safety database, enobosarm was generally well tolerated with no increases in gastrointestinal side effects. This is important as there are already significant and frequent gastrointestinal side effects with a GLP-1 RA treatment alone. About Veru Inc.Veru is a late clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel medicines for the treatment of metabolic diseases, oncology, and ARDS. The Company’s drug development program includes two late-stage novel small molecules, enobosarm and sabizabulin. Enobosarm, a selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM), is being developed for two indications: (i) Phase 2b clinical study of enobosarm as a treatment to augment fat loss and to prevent muscle loss in sarcopenic obese or overweight elderly patients receiving a GLP-1 RA who are at-risk for developing muscle atrophy and muscle weakness and (ii) subject to the availability of sufficient funding, Phase 3 ENABLAR-2 clinical trial of enobosarm and abemaciclib for the treatment of androgen receptor positive (AR+), estrogen receptor positive (ER+) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative (HER2-) metastatic breast cancer in the 2nd line setting. Sabizabulin, a microtubule disruptor, is being developed as a Phase 3 clinical trial for the treatment of hospitalized patients with viral-induced ARDS. The Company does not intend to undertake further development of sabizabulin for the treatment of viral-induced ARDS until we obtain funding from government grants, pharmaceutical company partnerships, or other similar third-party external sources. The Company also has an FDA-approved commercial product, the FC2 Female Condom® (Internal Condom), for the dual protection against unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, without limitation, express or implied statements related to whether and when the phase 2b trial of enobosarm discussed above will produce topline data or patients will progress into the extension study, the planned design, number of sites, timing, endpoints, patient population and patient size of such trial and whether such trial will successfully meet any of its endpoints, whether enobosarm will enhance weight loss or preserve muscle in, or meet any unmet need for, obesity patients and whether it will enhance weight loss and whether the Company will be successful in its transformation into a late stage biopharmaceutical company focused on obesity and oncology. The words "anticipate," "believe," "could," "expect," "intend," "may," "opportunity," "plan," "predict," "potential," "estimate," "should," "will," "would" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Any forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon current plans and strategies of the Company and reflect the Company's current assessment of the risks and uncertainties related to its business and are made as of the date of this press release. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release because of new information or future events, developments or circumstances. Such forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions, and if any such risks or uncertainties materialize or if any of the assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: the development of the Company’s product portfolio and the results of clinical studies possibly being unsuccessful or insufficient to meet applicable regulatory standards or warrant continued development; the ability to enroll sufficient numbers of subjects in clinical studies and the ability to enroll subjects in accordance with planned schedules; the ability to fund planned clinical development as well as other operations of the Company; the timing of any submission to the FDA or any other regulatory authority and any determinations made by the FDA or any other regulatory authority; the Company’s existing product, FC2, and any future products, if approved, possibly not being commercially successful; the ability of the Company to obtain sufficient financing on acceptable terms when needed to fund development and operations; the Company’s failure to timely file certain reports in February 2024 may impair its ability to raise capital under the Company’s current effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 or under a new registration statement; demand for, market acceptance of, and competition against any of the Company’s products or product candidates; new or existing competitors with greater resources and capabilities and new competitive product approvals and/or introductions; changes in regulatory practices or policies or government-driven healthcare reform efforts, including pricing pressures and insurance coverage and reimbursement changes; risks relating to the Company's development of its own dedicated direct to patient telehealth platform, including the Company's lack of experience in developing such a platform, potential regulatory complexity, development costs, and market awareness and acceptance of any telehealth platform we develop; risks relating to our ability to increase sales of FC2 after significant declines in recent periods due to telehealth industry consolidation and the bankruptcy of a large telehealth customer; the Company’s ability to protect and enforce its intellectual property; the potential that delays in orders or shipments under government tenders or the Company’s U.S. prescription business could cause significant quarter-to-quarter variations in the Company’s operating results and adversely affect its net revenues and gross profit; the Company’s reliance on its international partners and on the level of spending by country governments, global donors and other public health organizations in the global public sector; the concentration of accounts receivable with our largest customers and the collection of those receivables; the Company’s production capacity, efficiency and supply constraints and interruptions, including potential disruption of production at the Company’s and third party manufacturing facilities and/or of the Company’s ability to timely supply product due to labor unrest or strikes, labor shortages, raw material shortages, physical damage to the Company’s and third party facilities, product testing, transportation delays or regulatory actions; costs and other effects of litigation, including product liability claims and securities litigation; the Company’s ability to identify, successfully negotiate and complete suitable acquisitions or other strategic initiatives; the Company’s ability to successfully integrate acquired businesses, technologies or products; and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company’s press releases, shareholder communications and Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2023, as amended by the Form 10-K/A, and subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. These documents are available on the “SEC Filings” section of our website at www.verupharma.com/investors. * Wegovy® is a registered trademark of Novo Nordisk A/S Investor and Media Contact:Samuel FischExecutive Director, Investor Relations and Corporate CommunicationsEmail: veruinvestor@verupharma.com