Metavia, the U.S. subsidiary of Dong-A ST, said on the 19th that part 3 of phase 1 for "DA-1726," which is being developed as an obesity treatment, received approval from an institutional review board (IRB) in the United States.
This trial is a step to evaluate safety and dose optimization at high doses and will proceed in two stages, stage 1 (part 3A) and stage 2 (part 3B).
The trial will enroll 40 adults with obesity but no comorbidities, divided into two cohorts of 20 each, and is designed to randomly administer repeated doses of DA-1726 or placebo for 16 weeks.
In part 3A, a single up-titration regimen will be evaluated, administering 16 mg for four weeks, then increasing to 48 mg and maintaining for 12 weeks. In part 3B, a two-step regimen will be tested, administering 16 mg, then increasing to 32 mg (four weeks), and subsequently to 64 mg (eight weeks).
Metavia plans to begin first patient dosing in Apr. and aims to secure data in the fourth quarter of 2026.
DA-1726 is a dual-agonist candidate based on an oxyntomodulin analog that acts simultaneously on the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucagon (GCG) receptors. Through this, it is expected to induce appetite suppression, promote insulin secretion, and increase basal metabolic rate, leading to weight loss and improved blood glucose.
In an additional phase 1 previously conducted, results at the eight-week dosing mark showed a mean weight reduction of 9.1% (9.6 kg), a 9.8 cm decrease in waist circumference, and improvements in fasting blood glucose and liver stiffness.
Kim Hyeong-heon, CEO of Metavia, said, "With this approval, development of DA-1726 has taken a step forward," and added, "Based on the efficacy, safety, and tolerability confirmed in prior studies, we expect strengthened competitiveness." She continued, "Through this trial, we will accelerate entry into subsequent stages and solidify our position as a next-generation dual-agonist obesity treatment."