Boehringer and Zealand Pharma release positive new data on obesity treatment

Shares of Denmark’s Zealand Pharma (CPH: ZEAL) were up more than 10% at 243.00 kroner today after, along with German partner Boehringer Ingelheim, it announced that patients treated with BI 456906 achieved up to 14.9% weight loss after 46 weeks, using the planned maintenance dose.

The Phase II clinical trial evaluating the effect of different doses of the novel glucagon/GLP-1 receptor dual agonist BI 456906 in people living with obesity or overweight without type 2 diabetes (NCT04667377) met its primary endpoint These results including an analysis of the actual maintenance dose indicating even greater weight loss will be presented at the 2023 American Diabetes Association’s 83rd Scientific Sessions in San Diego, CA, USA. Until then, the data is under embargo.

The glucagon/GLP-1 receptor dual agonist activates both the GLP-1 and glucagon receptors that are critical to controlling metabolic functions. The dual agonist BI 456906 has the potential to be a new treatment that may offer clinically relevant benefit. It is part of Boehringer Ingelheim’s research and development portfolio in the cardio-renal-metabolic disease areas.