BI 456906 GLP-1/Glucagon Dual Agonist (obesity, NASH, diabetes)
Obesity is a complex chronic disease that requires long term management. It is among the leading risk factors for several cardio-metabolic diseases such as heart disease, ischemic stroke, and liver diseases. Worldwide obesity has nearly tripled since 1975, with nearly two billion adults considered overweight.
Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is caused by the buildup of fat in the liver and is one of the major causes of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. It is an area of high unmet medical need with no approved treatments currently available. NASH is especially prevalent in, but not limited to, people with metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes and obesity.
The dual-acting GLP-1/glucagon agonist activates both the GLP-1 and glucagon receptors and may offer better blood glucose and weight control than currently available single-agonist (GLP-1 only) treatments. The compound leverages the known effects of the natural gut hormone oxyntomodulin, which has been shown to decrease food intake and increase energy expenditure in humans as well as the established effects of GLP-1 RA on both glucose control and body weight.
BI 456906 is undergoing clinical testing for the treatment of obesity, NASH and type 2 diabetes. For more information, see clinicaltrials.gov.
BI 456906 GLP-1/GLU Dual Agonist is an investigational product and has not been approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (“FDA”). The safety and effectiveness has not been established.
The global prevalence of obesity has more than doubled since 1980. In 2014, more than 1.9 billion adults were classified as overweight and over 600 million of these were obese.*
Collaboration with Boehringer Ingelheim
Zealand has two collaborations with Boehringer Ingelheim, where they fund all research, development and commercialization activities. Zealand is eligible to receive royalties and milestone payments as follows:
GLP-1/glucagon dual-acting agonist
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EUR 365 million outstanding in milestone payments
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Initiation of Phase 2 trial will trigger a milestone payment of EUR 20 million to Zealand Pharma
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High single-digit to low double-digit percentage royalties on global sales