Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: NBIX) today announced the initiation of a Phase 1 first-in-human clinical study evaluating the safety and tolerability of NBIP-‘1968, an investigational GLP-1/GIP/glucagon receptor triple agonist being developed as a therapy for obesity.
“Obesity is a complex chronic disease driven by multiple biological pathways, underscoring the need for additional treatment options,” said Sanjay Keswani, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, Neurocrine Biosciences. “NBIP-‘1968 is designed to engage three complementary metabolic mechanisms, reflecting our commitment to exploring multiple scientific approaches to obesity.”
The Phase 1 study initially will evaluate the safety and tolerability of single ascending doses of NBIP-‘1968 in adult participants across a range of body mass index categories, including overweight and obese.
Innovations in Treatment by Neurocrine Bioscience
NBIP-‘1968 is an internally discovered, investigational long-acting triple agonist designed for once-weekly subcutaneous administration. It targets the receptors for glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon to influence metabolic pathways involved in appetite regulation, energy balance and glycemic control. NBIP-‘1968 was designed with balanced glucagon receptor activity to optimize the potential metabolic benefits of glucagon receptor activation while supporting tolerability.
Neurocrine is developing NBIP-‘1968 as part of a broader obesity portfolio that includes NBIP-‘2118, an investigational corticotropin-releasing factor type 2 receptor agonist currently in Phase 1 development. NBIP-‘1968 is intended for use in a fixed-dose combination with NBIP-‘2118. The company’s obesity research also includes earlier-stage programs designed to explore complementary mechanisms and extended dosing intervals.
“Advancing NBIP-‘1968 into the clinic marks another important step in building our obesity portfolio,” said Jude Onyia, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer, Neurocrine Biosciences. “Our strategy is to explore complementary and differentiated mechanisms that may improve weight loss, preserve lean mass and ultimately address the diverse needs of people living with obesity.”
About Obesity
Obesity is a chronic disease characterized by excess body fat and is associated with serious health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obstructive sleep apnea, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis/fatty liver disease, certain cancers and osteoarthritis. It is driven by complex biological, environmental, and genetic factors – not simply lifestyle or willpower. Obesity has reached epidemic levels worldwide, affecting a significant proportion of adults and placing a substantial burden on public health systems. Despite recent advances in treatment, there remains a need for additional therapies that support safe, effective and sustainable long-term weight management. Current therapies can have challenges with respect to gastrointestinal tolerability, dose titration, and muscle loss.
