Why Did MetaVia Inc. (MTVA) Soar 10.15%?

Alterity Therapeutics (ATHE) surged 10.15% in pre-market trading on July 24, 2025, reflecting significant investor interest and optimism surrounding the company's recent developments.

Alterity Therapeutics, formerly known as NeuroBo Pharmaceuticals, has undergone a strategic rebranding to MetaVia Inc. This transformation is part of a broader shift in focus from neurodegenerative research to cardiometabolic diseases, particularly obesity and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). The rebranding was formalized on November 29, 2024, and includes a new corporate identity and Nasdaq symbol (MTVA).

The company's strategic realignment was catalyzed by the in-licensing of two promising drug candidates, DA-1726 and DA-1241, from Dong-A ST Co., Ltd. DA-1726 is a dual agonist of the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP1R) and glucagon receptor (GCGR), designed to address obesity through superior weight loss and improved energy expenditure. DA-1241, a G-protein-coupled receptor 119 (GPR119) agonist, targets MASH by stimulating the release of metabolic peptides crucial for glucose metabolism and liver health.

Both DA-1726 and DA-1241 are progressing through critical phases of clinical development. DA-1241 is undergoing a Phase 2a trial for MASH, with data expected by the end of 2024. DA-1726 is in a multiple ascending dose Phase 1 study for obesity, with top-line data anticipated in the first quarter of 2025. The company is also collaborating with Dong-A ST and ImmunoForge to develop a long-acting, once-monthly formulation of DA-1726, potentially improving treatment adherence and patient convenience.

MetaVia's robust capital structure, bolstered by a $70 million financing round in June 2024, provides the company with a solid runway to fund clinical milestones and operational scale-up. The company's leadership team, with extensive experience in bringing metabolic and CNS drugs to market, is well-positioned to execute its clinical strategy through key inflection points. The rebranding effort reflects more than a cosmetic change—it signals a new era of focus, operational efficiency, and scientific ambition for MetaVia.