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ApicHope Pharma filed the IND application for oral GLP-1R agonist APH01727

 ApicHope Pharma has submitted the IND application for an oral small molecule GLP-1R agonist APH01727 for patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity in China. ApicHope Pharmaceutical founded by Li Hanxiong engages in the research and development, production, and sales of traditional Chinese medicine products, chemical medicine, and biological vaccines.

Li Hanxiong
Li Hanxiong

APH01727 

In the press release issued by ApicHope, it was stated that APH01727 is intended to be a daily dose small molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist.

In 2022, ApicHope filed a patent (WO2024046342) covering the benzo bicyclic compounds aimed at treating GLP-1 receptor agonist-mediated diseases and/or disorders. The patent indicates that compound 4 has an EC50 value of approximately 0.08 nM, demonstrating significantly higher potency compared to danuglipron, which has an EC50 of around 13 nM.

ApicHope GLP-1
Compounds in the patent

Oral GLP-1R agonists in China

Although Pfizer and vTv (Huadong) terminated their oral small molecule GLP-1R agonists program last year, the story of Danuglipron (Pfizer) continues. Meanwhile, Lilly's Orforglipron is currently being evaluated in phase 3 trials for patients with obesity and diabetes. In China, the followers are coming.

Product

Company

Stage

Indication

Initiation

RGT-075

Regor

Ph2

Obesity

2024.03

HRS-7535

Hengrui

Ph2

Obesity/Diabetes

2023.02

HDM1002

Huadong

Ph2

Obesity

2024.04

GSBR-1290

Gasherbrum

Ph1/2

Obesity/Diabetes

2023.01

ECC5004

Eccogene

Ph1

Diabetes

2022.12

XW014

Sciwind

Ph1

Diabetes

2022.09

APH01727

ApicHope

IND

Obesity/Diabetes

2024.05

RGT-075

RGT-075 is a small molecule GLP-1R agonist developed by Regor Pharma, currently under phase 2 study in patients with obesity. In 2023, Regor terminated the phase 2 trial (NCT05297045) of RGT-075 in patients with type 2 diabetes due to financial constraints. However, last month, they initiated the phase 2 study for the treatment of obesity, with topline results expected to be announced in the second half of 2024.

In 2022, Regor presented the results of the phase 1 study in healthy adults. "The mean elimination half-life (t1/2) (from 6.3 to 11.7 hours) indicated suitability for QD dosing."

HRS-7535

In February 2023, Hengrui initiated the first phase 2 study of HRS-7535, a small molecule GLP-1R agonist, in China. Currently, HRS-7535 is being evaluated in two phase 2 trials for the treatment of diabetes and obesity. 

At the end of 2023, Hengrui reported the results of the phase 1 trial, indicating that "HRS-7535 exhibited a safety and tolerability profile consistent with other GLP-1RAs and showed pharmacokinetics suitable for once-daily dosing." During multiple ascending dose (MAD) cohorts, subjects administered HRS-7535 experienced a mean reduction in body weight of 4.38 kg from baseline within 4 weeks.

HDM1002

HDM1002, a GLP-1R agonist developed by Huadong Medicine, has halted the development of TTP273 in China. Currently, HDM1002 is being investigated in a phase 2 trial, administered twice daily, for overweight patients.

Huadong Medicine presented the outcomes of a preclinical study at the EASA Annual Meeting in 2023. The in vivo study revealed that HDM1002 exhibits a potent hypoglycemic effect even at low doses.

GSBR-1290

GSBR-1290, an oral small molecule GLP-1RA developed by Structure Therapeutics in China, is currently undergoing evaluation in a phase 1/2 study targeting overweight and diabetes.

In December 2023, Structure Therapeutics shared the findings of the phase 2a study conducted on patients with diabetes and obesity. In the Type 2 Diabetes cohort, there was a notable reduction in HbA1c levels, with a statistically significant difference ranging from -1.01% to -1.02% when compared to the placebo at Week 12. Additionally, the study exhibited a significant and clinically meaningful weight reduction ranging from -3.26% to -3.51% at Week 12, also when compared to the placebo. The trend of weight loss continued to progress through Week 12. Furthermore, interim analysis results from the obesity cohort demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful weight reduction of -4.74% at Week 8, again compared to the placebo.

ECC5004

ECC5004 is a small-molecule glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist drug being developed by Eccogene to treat cardiometabolic conditions like obesity, type-2 diabetes, and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). 

In 2023, AstraZeneca licensed in the global right of ECC5004 with an initial upfront payment of $185m. 

XW-014

XW014, a small molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist developed by Sciwind Biosciences, is being positioned for potential oral once-daily dosing. It's scheduled to commence clinical trials in the first half of 2022.

During the EASL 2022 event, Sciwind presented findings from a preclinical study. This study revealed notable body weight reduction and decreased food intake at doses of 30 and 60 mg/kg BID of XW014 when compared to a vehicle.

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