Actimed Therapeutics Advances Novel Muscle-Preserving Therapies for Cancer Cachexia and GLP-1 Associated Muscle Loss
Key Insights
Actimed Therapeutics (search) will present clinical development plans for S-pindolol benzoate, a novel multi-modal anabolic-catabolic transforming agent, targeting cancer cachexia in non-small cell lung cancer and colorectal cancer patients.
The company's ongoing PROACT Phase 2a program evaluates S-pindolol benzoate's ability to preserve lean muscle mass during and after GLP-1RA therapy with semaglutide in obese patients.
Preclinical data demonstrates S-oxprenolol's potential in treating muscle wasting associated with ALS, with plans to advance development in 2026.
Actimed Therapeutics (search), a UK-based clinical stage specialty pharmaceutical company, is advancing its pipeline of innovative therapies targeting muscle wasting disorders with presentations at the 18th Annual Conference on Sarcopenia, Cachexia, and Wasting Disorders (SCWD) in Rome, Italy from December 11-13, 2025.
The company will showcase development plans for its lead asset S-pindolol benzoate, described as "the first member of a novel class of small molecule multi-modal anabolic-catabolic transforming agents targeting the pathophysiology of muscle wasting disorders." The presentations will detail further development plans for S-pindolol benzoate in a study of non-small cell lung cancer and colorectal cancer patients suffering from cachexia.
PROACT Phase 2a Program Addresses GLP-1 Associated Muscle Loss
Central to Actimed's presentations will be details of the ongoing PROACT Phase 2a program, designed to evaluate the effect of S-pindolol benzoate on lean mass in obese patients. The program consists of two components: PROACT-ONE evaluates the compound's effects during weight loss therapy with the GLP-1RA semaglutide, while PROACT-TWO assesses its impact after withdrawal of GLP-1RA therapy.
This research addresses a significant clinical concern, as reductions of lean muscle mass can occur alongside fat loss in obese patients receiving GLP-1RAs for weight management. According to the company, preserving muscle while achieving healthy weight reduction remains an important unmet need, highlighting the opportunity for novel approaches that support and preserve healthy body composition.
Expanding Pipeline with ALS-Focused Therapy
Actimed will also present promising preclinical data illustrating the potential role of S-oxprenolol in treating cachexia in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients. The preclinical model of ALS demonstrated S-oxprenolol benzoate's ability to slow progression and improve survival while protecting motor neurons and attenuating muscle loss and loss of body mass. The company plans to further the development program of S-oxprenolol in 2026.
S-oxprenolol has received US Orphan Drug Designation for the treatment of ALS, and Actimed has licensed the global rights to develop and commercialize S-oxprenolol for all other indications outside of ALS to US company Faraday Pharmaceuticals (search).
Addressing Critical Unmet Medical Needs
Cachexia represents a significant clinical challenge, characterized as a wasting disease associated with cancer and other serious chronic illnesses, marked by severe weight loss and associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Despite its prevalence in cancer patients and devastating clinical impact, there is currently no globally approved therapy for the treatment or prevention of cancer-related cachexia.
Previous studies with S-pindolol have generated promising Phase 2a proof of concept data in cancer cachexia patients. Actimed has conducted a pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) study of S-pindolol benzoate to characterize the benzoate salt of S-pindolol, and early non-clinical data confirms a potential role for S-pindolol benzoate in preserving muscle mass when used in combination with a GLP-1 agonist for weight loss.
Clinical Development Timeline
Robin Bhattacherjee, CEO of Actimed, stated: "We are bringing a strong line-up of presentations to SCWD this year, with a number of sessions featuring our lead clinical asset, S-pindolol benzoate. This Conference marks another year of significant progress for Actimed, and we look forward to 2026 when we expect to make important clinical advances for S-pindolol benzoate in both cancer cachexia and muscle preservation with GLP-1RA therapy."
The conference presentations will include details on the planned IMPACT Phase 2b/3 program in patients with non-small cell lung cancer, colorectal cancer and cancer cachexia, representing a significant advancement in the clinical development of this novel therapeutic approach.