Altimmune, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALT), a pioneering biopharmaceutical firm, has recently shared compelling data from its 48-week Phase 2 MOMENTUM clinical trial of pemvidutide at the American Diabetes Association’s 84th Scientific Sessions. Pemvidutide, a cutting-edge GLP-1/glucagon dual receptor agonist, is emerging as a significant player in obesity management, showcasing impressive results in lean mass preservation during weight loss—a crucial factor in healthy and sustainable weight reduction.
Trial Insights and Methodology
The MOMENTUM trial enrolled 391 participants, focusing on individuals with obesity or those overweight with associated comorbidities but not diabetic. Participants were randomized across four groups (1.2 mg, 1.8 mg, 2.4 mg of pemvidutide, and placebo) and received weekly doses in combination with a regimen of diet and exercise. The trial’s robust design also included a detailed MRI-based body composition analysis for a subgroup of participants.
Key Outcomes
After 48 weeks, the results were striking. Participants on pemvidutide reported mean weight losses of 10.3%, 11.2%, and 15.6% for the 1.2 mg, 1.8 mg, and 2.4 mg doses, respectively, compared to just 2.2% for those on placebo. Notably, the highest dosage showed a near-linear pattern of sustained weight loss up to the study’s end.
The body composition analysis of 50 participants revealed that lean mass loss accounted for only 21.9% of total weight loss in the pemvidutide groups, with a significant 78.1% coming from fat. This lean mass preservation rate outperforms those observed in standard diet and exercise programs and other incretin-based weight loss medications, marking pemvidutide as a distinctive and potentially transformative obesity treatment.
Enhanced Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health
Apart from weight loss, pemvidutide has shown encouraging effects on cardiovascular and metabolic health. Participants experienced substantial reductions in serum lipids and improvements in blood pressure levels. Importantly, the treatment did not lead to significant imbalances in cardiac events, arrhythmias, or clinically meaningful increases in heart rate.
Expert Opinions and Future Prospects
Dr. Vipin K. Garg, President and CEO of Altimmune, expressed satisfaction with the trial outcomes, emphasizing the superior lean mass preservation. According to Dr. Louis Aronne, Director of the Comprehensive Weight Control Center at Weill Cornell Medicine and a scientific advisor for Altimmune, pemvidutide’s ability to preserve lean mass while effectively reducing body weight offers a promising avenue for treating a diverse range of patients with obesity.
Conclusion
Altimmune’s pemvidutide stands out not only for its efficacy in reducing body weight but also for its capability to maintain lean muscle mass, enhance metabolic health, and exhibit a favorable safety profile. With the U.S. FDA’s Fast Track designation for the treatment of MASH, pemvidutide’s ongoing clinical developments are keenly watched by the medical community and investors alike, holding promise for a new standard in obesity treatment.
For more information, please visit Altimmune’s official website.
