Response Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage company specializing in weight management and metabolic health, has begun enrolling participants in a Phase 2 trial. This trial will evaluate their drug candidate, RDX-002, for its effectiveness in addressing weight rebound experienced by individuals after discontinuing GLP-1 agonist treatment for obesity.
RDX-002 operates by inhibiting intestinal microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (iMTP), reducing dietary fats’ absorption and, consequently, caloric intake. The study aims to assess the drug’s impact on post-meal triglyceride levels, weight fluctuations, and other cardiometabolic risk factors in individuals who have ceased using semaglutide or tirzepatide, two common GLP-1 agonists.
The impetus for this research stems from a critical observation: patients often regain a significant portion of the weight lost while on GLP-1 agonists upon discontinuing these medications, thereby diminishing the associated cardiometabolic benefits.
Preliminary studies on RDX-002 have shown promise in mitigating weight gain linked to antipsychotic use, demonstrating good initial tolerability. The current trial seeks to explore its efficacy in this second significant weight management context as development for its use in addressing antipsychotic-induced weight gain continues.
Obesity is acknowledged as a chronic disease with serious cardiovascular and metabolic implications, including heightened risks of hyperlipidemia, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. While GLP-1 agonists have demonstrated remarkable success in weight reduction and mitigating these risks, most patients eventually stop using them.
RDX-002 offers a potential solution by lowering post-meal triglycerides, “bad” LDL-cholesterol levels, and improving glycemic control – all established risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The double-blind study (NCT06640972) will track the efficacy and tolerability of RDX-002 over 12 weeks in individuals who successfully lost weight with GLP-1 agonists but are planning to discontinue treatment. Results from this trial are anticipated in the latter half of 2025.
In other news, Response Pharmaceuticals will present the findings from their proof-of-concept study on RDX-002’s effects on antipsychotic-induced weight gain at Obesity Week 2024 in San Antonio on November 4th.
Jon Napitupulu is Director of Media Relations at The Clinical Trial Vanguard. Jon, a computer data scientist, focuses on the latest clinical trial industry news and trends.
