Several pharmaceutical companies are poised to release pivotal clinical trial results in the coming months, potentially reshaping treatment paradigms for conditions ranging from obesity to schizophrenia and autoimmune disorders.
Weight Loss Therapies in Focus
Novo Nordisk, the company behind the blockbuster drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, is developing CagriSema, a novel obesity treatment that combines semaglutide with amylin and calcitonin receptor agonists. Results from two late-stage phase 3 trials are expected this year. Amylin helps regulate blood sugar levels, similar to GLP-1, while calcitonin controls calcium levels in the blood. Viking Therapeutics is also set to present phase 1 trial results for higher doses of its oral weight loss drug VK2735. A previous small clinical study found that patients taking a daily 40mg dose of Viking’s weight loss pill lost an average of up to 5.3% of their body weight in just 28 days. Amgen is presenting results of a phase 2 trial of its experimental weight loss drug MariTide in late 2024. An early-stage trial of MariTide found that users on the drug lost average of 14.5% of their weight in about 12 weeks.
Advancements in Schizophrenia Treatment
AbbVie is awaiting results from two six-week phase 2 trials of emraclidine, an experimental antipsychotic drug, for the treatment of schizophrenia. This follows AbbVie's acquisition of Cerevel Therapeutics, which included emraclidine in its portfolio. AbbVie is competing with Bristol Myers Squibb, which is awaiting FDA review of its new schizophrenia treatment, KarXT, this fall.
Immunology and Autoimmune Disease
Biogen, traditionally focused on neurology, is intensifying its shift towards immunology. Results from a phase 3 trial of dapirolizumab pegol, a potential new treatment for the autoimmune disorder lupus, are expected soon.
Other Notable Trials
Moderna is seeking its next major product as COVID-19 vaccine sales continue to dwindle. One promising opportunity is a vaccine for cytomegalovirus (CMV), a common congenital infection with no existing vaccines. Moderna is expected to announce initial results of its late-stage trial of its CMV vaccine by the end of the year. Neuroscience startup Neumora Therapeutics is developing navacaprant, a novel depression treatment. The company is expected to announce results from the first of three phase 3 trials testing navacaprant for depression in the fourth quarter of this year. CRISPR Therapeutics is using CRISPR gene-editing technology to develop genetically engineered cells, CTX112, that target CD19 for cancer and autoimmune disorders. Preliminary results from these trails are expected this year.
