MetaVia's DA-1241 and Efruxifermin Show Promising Results in Combating MASH

MetaVia's Groundbreaking Presentation at ADA's 85th Scientific Sessions

At the recent American Diabetes Association's 85th Scientific Sessions, MetaVia Inc. showcased compelling pre-clinical research that could change the trajectory of treatments for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). The company, a clinical-stage biotechnology firm listed on Nasdaq under MTVA, presented data on DA-1241, a G-Protein-Coupled Receptor 119 (GPR119) agonist, demonstrating its capacity for additive hepatoprotective effects when combined with Efruxifermin, a fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) analogue. This research underlines the potential for synergistic treatments in the realm of cardiometabolic diseases.

The evidence presented by MetaVia, which will be discussed in further detail in a poster session at McCormick Place, Chicago, emphasizes the promising benefits of this combination therapy. Previous Phase 2a clinical trial results of DA-1241 indicated hepatoprotective and glucose-regulating properties, and the latest findings bolster these assessments by illustrating the combined therapy’s effect on liver fat, inflammation, and fibrosis—all of which are crucial factors in MASH progression.

Overview of the Study

In conducting the pre-clinical study, researchers utilized a mouse model that mimicked the advanced liver pathology seen in human MASH. Mice were divided into several groups to receive either a vehicle, DA-1241 (100 mg/kg daily), Efruxifermin (1 mg/kg weekly), or the combination of both for a duration of 12 weeks. Notably, DA-1241 was found to be weight-neutral across the entire treatment period. Meanwhile, Efruxifermin as a standalone treatment resulted in a statistically significant reduction in body weight of approximately 17% compared to the control group, underscoring its effectiveness.

What's particularly intriguing about the combination therapy is that it achieved compelling results without additional weight loss, indicating enhanced benefits that are independent of body weight changes. Improvements were observed in liver function markers over just 12 weeks, with both DA-1241 and Efruxifermin contributing to reductions in hepatic cholesterol and plasma transaminases.

Enhanced Benefits through Combination Therapy

The combination of DA-1241 and Efruxifermin led to more substantial improvements in biomarkers than either drug alone, reinforcing its therapeutic potential. Histological evaluations revealed that an impressive 94% of the mice subjected to the combination therapy attained a two-point enhancement in the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) activity score compared to much lower response rates from monotherapy groups.

Further investigations into liver immunohistochemistry highlighted significant reductions in inflammatory (galectin-3) and fibrotic (type 1 collagen, α-SMA) markers, suggesting that the dual treatment provides enhanced anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects. The findings were further corroborated through mRNA analysis of liver tissue that indicated remarkable decreases in key inflammatory and fibrotic gene expressions.

Conclusion

This research distinctly illustrates that combining DA-1241 with Efruxifermin—two drugs acting on the liver with different mechanisms—can lead to noteworthy improvements in MASH pathology. As healthcare systems continually seek innovative approaches to manage metabolic diseases, data like this could prove pivotal in developing effective therapies for conditions such as MASH, which remain a significant challenge in modern medicine.

MetaVia's commitment to transforming the landscape of cardiometabolic diseases stands strong with the promise shown in these findings. The quest for advanced solutions to MASH could give patients renewed hope for better health outcomes in the near future.

For more information about MetaVia and their latest developments, visit MetaVia's website.