Corteria Pharmaceuticals announced the clinical advancement of two first-in-class corticotropin-releasing factor receptor 2 (CRF2) agonists, marking significant progress in addressing unmet medical needs in cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. The Paris-based clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company has initiated a Phase 2 trial for heart failure and is advancing a Phase 1 obesity study with promising early results.
Phase 2 Heart Failure Trial Launches
The CRAFT-WHF Phase 2 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of COR-1167 has begun enrollment of 300 patients with worsening heart failure (WHF). The once-daily, subcutaneous CRF2 peptide agonist demonstrated encouraging Phase 1 results, showing clear target engagement through improvement in cardiac function parameters without adverse blood pressure effects.
The Phase 2 study will assess the safety and cardiorenal effects of three different doses of COR-1167 administered for one month, with topline results expected by the end of 2026. The trial addresses a critical gap in treating WHF, which impacts more than 20% of heart failure patients and represents one of the most common causes for hospitalization.
"Episodes of WHF impact more than 20% of heart failure patients and are among the most common causes for hospitalization, accelerating the progression of disease and resulting in substantial risk of morbidity and mortality," according to the company's disease background information. Current standard of care relies on loop diuretics, which while effective acutely, do not improve rehospitalization rates or patient outcomes.
Obesity Treatment Shows Promising Preclinical Data
COR-1389, a long-acting once-weekly subcutaneous CRF2 peptide agonist, is being developed for obesity with associated heart failure and right-sided heart failure due to pulmonary hypertension. The ongoing Phase 1 trial has completed its single ascending dose phase in healthy volunteers and is now conducting a 12-week multiple ascending dose phase in subjects with obesity.
Preclinical studies revealed substantial metabolic benefits, with COR-1389 driving weight loss comparable to GLP-1 agonists while reducing fat mass and increasing lean muscle mass. When co-administered with tirzepatide or semaglutide, the drug demonstrated additive benefits on fat loss while preventing the lean mass loss typically observed with these agents.
The compound also showed cardiopulmonary benefits in animal models of right-sided heart failure, improving cardiopulmonary hemodynamics and reversing maladaptive right ventricular and pulmonary artery remodeling. A Phase 1b trial is planned to evaluate acute hemodynamic responses in patients with group 2 pulmonary hypertension, with results expected in the second half of 2026.
Addressing Significant Disease Burdens
The development programs target substantial patient populations with limited treatment options. Chronic heart failure afflicts more than 60 million people worldwide, while obesity impacts more than one billion people globally and serves as a causal factor in heart failure and other serious health complications.
Right-sided heart failure, typically caused by pulmonary hypertension often associated with left-sided heart disease, afflicts approximately 10 million people worldwide. The condition is described as "a fatal disease with no approved therapies" that involves progressive right ventricular dysfunction leading to deteriorating exercise capacity and high cardiovascular mortality risk.
Current obesity treatments face significant limitations. While GLP-1 and GLP-1/GIP peptides represent the most effective available drug therapies for weight loss, they are often associated with side effects including bloating, nausea, and vomiting, leading to adherence challenges. These therapies also frequently result in substantial muscle mass loss, which can negatively impact patient health.
Company Leadership Perspective
"Advancing both COR-1167 and COR-1389 in the clinic underscores our commitment to delivering first-in-class CRF2-targeted therapies for patients with limited treatment options," said Philip Janiak, founder and CEO of Corteria Pharmaceuticals. "The robust preclinical data, together with the emerging clinical data, strengthen our confidence as we move into Phase 2 and expand our footprint in cardiometabolic diseases."
The company's pipeline also includes COR-2007, an arginine vasopressin neutralizing monoclonal antibody being developed for acute heart failure with hyponatremia and autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, further expanding its cardiovascular and renal disease portfolio.
