Clinical-stage biotechnology company MetaVia Inc (Nasdaq:MTVA) on Monday reported positive, statistically significant results from the Phase 1b clinical trial of DA-1726, a novel, dual oxyntomodulin (OXM) analog agonist that functions as a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP1R) and glucagon receptor (GCGR).

In the eight-week (extended from four weeks) non-titrated 48 mg, multiple ascending dose (MAD) cohort of the trial, participants showed robust early weight loss, statistically significant reductions in waist circumference, strong improvements in glucose control, and meaningful reductions in liver stiffness, alongside a favorable safety and tolerability profile.

Patients experienced no treatment-related discontinuations, and gastrointestinal events were mild to moderate in severity.

"Extending DA-1726 administration to a full eight weeks at the non-titrated 48 mg dose has provided us with extremely encouraging insights," said Hyung Heon Kim, president and CEO of MetaVia. "Patients in this cohort achieved a statistically significant 6.1% weight loss by Day 26 and 9.1% by Day 54, along with reductions in waist circumference of 5.8 cm and 9.8 cm at those same time points.

"We believe the statistically significant waist reductions reflect the glucagon component of DA-1726, which may contribute to deeper visceral fat loss than GLP-1 agonists alone. Combined with a favorable tolerability profile with no treatment-related discontinuations, these results highlight DA-1726's differentiated potential to be a best-in-class treatment option."