Phase I studies of the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the dual glucagon receptor/glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist BI 456906

Abstract

Aim: To report two phase I studies of the novel subcutaneous glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor/glucagon receptor (GLP-1R/GCGR) dual agonist BI 456906 versus placebo in healthy volunteers and people with overweight/obesity. Materials and Methods: A phase Ia study (NCT03175211) investigated single rising doses (SRDs) of BI 456906 in 24 males with a body mass index (BMI) of 20–<30 kg/m2. A phase Ib study (NCT03591718) investigated multiple rising doses (MRDs) of BI 456906 (escalated over 6 [Part A] or 16 [Part B] weeks) in 125 adults with a BMI of 27–40 kg/m2. Results: In the SRD study (N = 24), mean body weight decreased with increasing BI 456906 dose. In the MRD study, the maximum decreases in placebo-corrected mean body weight were at week 6 (–5.79%, dosage schedule [DS] 1; Part A) and week 16 (–13.8%, DS7; Part B). BI 456906 reduced plasma amino acids and glucagon, indicating target engagement at GCGRs and GLP-1Rs. Drug-related adverse events (AEs) increased with BI 456906 dose. The most frequent drug-related AE with SRDs was decreased appetite (n = 9, 50.0%), and two subjects (8.3%) did not complete the trial because of AEs (nausea and vomiting). During MRD Part A (N = 80), 10 subjects (12.5%) discontinued BI 456906, most commonly because of a cardiac or vascular AE (n = 6, 7.5%); during Part B (N = 45), eight subjects (17.8%) discontinued BI 456906, mainly because of AEs (n = 6, 13.3%), most commonly gastrointestinal disorders. Conclusions: BI 456906 produced a placebo-corrected body weight loss of 13.8% (week 16), highlighting its potential to promote clinically meaningful body weight loss in people with overweight/obesity.