Terns Pharmaceuticals' GLP-1 Oral Therapy Shows 5% Weight Loss in Early Study

Overview of Terns Pharmaceuticals’ TERN-601

Terns Pharmaceuticals has announced remarkable findings from their investigational drug TERN-601, an oral GLP-1R agonist. In early clinical trials, this therapy demonstrated a substantial mean weight loss of 4.9% after just 28 days, significantly outperforming placebo. This achievement is noteworthy when compared to competitors like Eli Lilly and Pfizer, paving the way for TERN-601 to enter Phase II clinical trials.

Clinical Trial Details

The Phase I trial evaluated adult patients dealing with obesity or overweight issues, assessing various doses of TERN-601. The results indicated that 67% of participants in the highest dosage group lost at least 5% of their baseline weight. Furthermore, TERN-601 displays a favorable safety profile, with no notable interruptions or discontinuations related to treatment.

Comparative Analysis with Competitors

Analysts from BMO Capital Markets described TERN-601's data as "compelling", comparing it favorably to other oral weight-loss medications like Eli Lilly's orforglipron and Pfizer's danuglipron, which showed weight losses of 3.9% and 5.2%, respectively. The unique once-daily dosing of TERN-601 addresses a major challenge faced by its competitors.

Future Directions

Terns Pharmaceuticals is poised to advance TERN-601 into Phase II development aiming for 2025, with ongoing studies to further solidify its position in the competitive landscape of weight-loss therapies. The company anticipates additional presentations of trial data at upcoming medical meetings, revealing more about TERN-601's potential in the field.