BRIEF—Rivus Pharma presents results from a Phase IIa trial of HU6

US clinical-stage biopharma firm Rivus Pharmaceuticals has presented positive top-line results from a Phase IIa trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of HU6, a first-in-class controlled metabolic accelerator (CMA), to address liver fat and total body fat in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

“Obesity is the underlying driver of a broad range of cardio-metabolic conditions including NAFLD,” said Shaharyar Khan, chief scientific officer, Rivus Pharmaceuticals.

The Phase IIa trial results showed that HU6, a first-in-class controlled metabolic accelerator (CMA), stands alone in its mechanism for fat selective weight loss, meeting the primary endpoint for reducing liver fat, as well as reducing body fat in the treated population.

These results setup the next phase of HU6 clinical development in cardio-metabolic disease, including a Phase IIa trial in obese patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), which is currently enrolling, and a Phase IIb trial in obesity that will begin enrollment in 2023, Dr Khan noted.