Corxel Pharmaceuticals has received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its investigational new drug (IND) application to conduct a Phase II trial of CX11, an oral small molecule glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) for obesity treatment.
The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial will evaluate the efficacy and safety of this once-daily oral therapy in individuals with obesity and overweight conditions in the United States. Enrollment is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2025, with topline data anticipated in the first half of 2026.
Trial Design and Patient Population
The Phase II study aims to enroll 250 subjects, targeting individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of ≥30kg/m² or ≥27kg/m² with at least one weight-related comorbidity. Participants will undergo treatment for 36 weeks, followed by a two-week monitoring period.
The trial will feature five treatment arms: one placebo group and four active treatment groups receiving CX11 at varying doses (120mg, 160mg, and 200mg) with two different titration speeds (faster and slower). This design will help determine optimal dosing strategies for the potential Phase III program.
Addressing Limitations of Current GLP-1 Therapies
"We are excited to receive the Study May Proceed Letter from the FDA for the U.S. Phase II trial of CX11, a critical milestone in our mission to address the global burden of obesity and related cardiometabolic diseases," said Bo Liang, Senior Vice President and Head of Clinical Development – Metabolic at Corxel Pharmaceuticals.
Liang highlighted the limitations of currently approved GLP-1 therapies: "While generally effective, [they] often face obstacles such as weekly injections, titration difficulty, side effects and limited tolerability, maintaining weight loss and supply challenges for peptide-based therapies."
The company believes CX11's once-daily oral administration could address these issues, potentially offering a more convenient treatment option for patients globally.
Previous Clinical Evidence
CX11, also known as VCT220, has already demonstrated promising results. In a previous Phase II trial conducted by Suzhou Vincentage Pharma in China, the drug reportedly achieved competitive weight loss with favorable safety and tolerability profiles.
Corxel acquired the worldwide rights to CX11, excluding China, from Vincentage in December 2024. Meanwhile, Vincentage initiated a Phase III registrational obesity trial in China in November 2024.
Potential Market Impact
If successful, this trial could pave the way for a global Phase III development program. An oral GLP-1 RA with efficacy comparable to injectable options would represent a significant advancement in obesity treatment, potentially expanding access to this therapeutic class.
The development comes amid growing demand for GLP-1 receptor agonists, which have shown remarkable efficacy in weight management but face challenges related to administration, supply constraints, and patient tolerability.
About Corxel Pharmaceuticals
Corxel is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative therapies for patients with cardiometabolic conditions. Beyond CX11, the company's pipeline includes JX10, a thrombolytic and anti-inflammatory agent for acute ischemic stroke, and JX09, a selective aldosterone synthase inhibitor for hypertension.
The Berkeley Heights, New Jersey-based company is led by an experienced management team with a track record of identifying, in-licensing, and developing clinical product candidates directed at validated targets with proven mechanisms of action.
