MariTide helped trial patients maintain weight loss, Amgen says

Amgen reported that an extension study found many trial participants maintained weight loss on lower monthly or quarterly doses of MariTide, and a 24-week study in people with Type 2 diabetes showed reductions in HbA1c and weight.

Amgen presented new trial results for its experimental obesity drug MariTide at the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference. The company said an extension of its Phase 2 study re-randomized patients who had already lost at least 15% body weight and tested lower monthly or quarterly doses over a second 52-week period. Earlier Phase 2 results had shown up to 20% weight loss but also frequent gastrointestinal side effects, prompting Amgen to begin future trials at lower starting doses. Amgen also reported a 24-week study in people with Type 2 diabetes that showed reductions in both HbA1c and weight. Key facts: - In the maintenance portion of the Phase 2 trial, patients who had achieved ≥15% weight loss were re-randomized to receive lower monthly or quarterly doses of MariTide or placebo for another 52 weeks. - Amgen said a "large majority" of patients given lower monthly or quarterly doses maintained the weight loss achieved in the first part of the study. - The company reported the second year of treatment was well tolerated, with a low incidence of nausea and vomiting and no new safety signals observed. - A 24-week study of monthly MariTide in people living with Type 2 diabetes and overweight or obesity showed reductions in HbA1c and in weight, according to Amgen. - MariTide is described as an antibody linked to two peptides that activates the GLP-1 receptor while blocking the GIP receptor, and Amgen is conducting several Phase 3 trials, including a 72-week study testing three different doses. Summary: Amgen said the trial results indicate many participants maintained weight loss on lower or less frequent MariTide dosing and that early diabetes data showed decreases in blood sugar measures and weight. The company noted prior gastrointestinal side effects and plans to start future trials with lower initial doses. Phase 3 studies are ongoing as the next step in testing the medicine.