A new study presented at the annual International Liver Congress, sponsored by the European Association for the Study of the Liver, showed that weight loss, lipid reductions, and "robust improvements" in lipid species associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease were achieved in patients who were treated with pemvidutide in a first-in-human, phase 1 clinical trial. 

The phase 1 study results presented by Stephen A Harrison, MD, showed that in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design with single and multiple ascending doses (SAD/MAD) of pemvidutide, clear weight loss reductions were seen across all the pemvidutide groups versus placebo, with the percentage changes in weight loss seen with the two higher doses used.

At week 12, there was a 4.9%, 10.3%, and 9.0% weight loss after the administration of 1.2-mg, 1.8-mg, and 2.4-mg dosage values in pemvidutide groups respectively compared to 1.6% in placebo-treated individuals. All patients in the 1.8-mg group achieved a 5% or greater weight loss. Dr. Harrison stated that there "was a plateauing" effect with the 2.4-mg dose with 89% of patients achieving this target. 

Levels of serum lipids from baseline to week 12 fell to a greater extent with pemvidutide treatment than with placebo, in the range of —27% for total cholesterol in the two highest dose groups, and —25% for LDL-cholesterol. On the other hand, —37% of reduction in triglycerides for the 1.2- and 1.8-mg dosage groups leading to further reductions in apolipoprotein B was seen. "We saw an initial decline in HDL [high-density lipoprotein]," stated Dr. Harrison. He further noted that the study results were consistent with prior studies while looking at rapid weight loss, and other factors over time, including the suggested mechanisms of action for pemvidutide or other drugs with similar mechanisms.

(Source: https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/976480)