Terns (TERN.US) obesity drug TERN-601 shows significant efficacy in early trials, shares soar 14% at opening

TERN-601, a once-daily GLP-1 receptor agonist from Terns Pharmaceuticals (TERN.US), showed positive results in early clinical trials for obesity treatment. In a 28-day multiple ascending dose trial, TERN-601 demonstrated good tolerability and achieved statistically significant average weight loss at all three dose levels (240mg, 500mg, 740mg). In particular, the maximum placebo-adjusted average weight loss observed at the highest dose of 740mg was 4.9% (p<0.0001). Additionally, 67% of participants receiving the highest dose lost 5% or more of their body weight. As a result, Terns' stock price rose more than 14% at the opening of Monday's trading, trading at $8.95.

"We are very excited about the strong GLP-1 receptor agonist activity of TERN-601, with its unique pharmacological profile allowing for continuous targeted coverage with once-daily dosing, and we have been able to assess doses up to 740mg while maintaining good tolerability," said Emil Kuriakose, Chief Medical Officer of Terns. The company plans to advance the drug to a second phase clinical trial in 2025.

The GLP-1 receptor agonist weight loss drug market is currently dominated by Eli Lilly (LLY.US) and Novo Nordisk (NVO.US). One of the most anticipated potential new weight loss drugs in the market is MariTide from Amgen (AMGN.US), which is not only a GLP-1 receptor agonist but also a GIP receptor agonist.

Other noteworthy candidates include VK2735 from Viking Therapeutics (VKTX.US) in Phase 2, pemvidutide from Altimmune (ALT.US), and survodutide from Zealand Pharma and Boehringer Ingelheim. The progress of these drugs could bring new options and hope to the field of obesity treatment.