MOMENTUM: Pemvidutide Boasts "Class-Leading" Lean Mass Preservation with Weight Loss

Louis J. Arrone, MD
Credit: Weill Cornell Medicine

Data from the phase 2 MOMENTUM trial provide evidence suggesting use of pemvidutide, a GLP-1/Glucagon dual receptor agonist from Altimmune, reduced body weight by an average of 15.6% in patients with overweight or obesity.

Presented at 84th American Diabetes Association (ADA) Scientific Sessions, results of the study demonstrate pemvidutide use was associated with significant reductions in total body weight with purported class-leading preservation in muscle mass, with 21.9% of weight loss attributable to lean mass and 78.1% of weight loss due to fat.^1,2

“Obesity is a multifactorial disease, and patients will need a variety of treatment options that fit their specific needs and comorbidities,” said primary investigator Louis J. Aronne, MD, director of the Comprehensive Weight Control Center in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism at Weill Cornell Medicine.² “These latest findings are particularly exciting given that pemvidutide has not only demonstrated significant weight loss but an impressive ability to preserve lean mass.”

The presentation of full 48-week results come more than a year after Altimmune provided insight into the trial with results from a 24-week interim analysis in March 2023. Data from the interim analysis trial indicated use of pemvidutide was associated with mean reductions in mean body weight of 7.3%, 9.4% and 10.7% at the 1.2 mg, 1.8 mg, and 2.4 mg doses, respectively, with the placebo group experiencing a mean weight loss of 1.0% (P < 0.001).^1,2,3

The trial enrolled a total of 391 patients with overweight or obesity but without type 2 diabetes were enrolled in the trial. At baseline, the 391-patient cohort had a mean age of 50 years and 75% were female. Additionally, the cohort had a mean BMI of 37 kg/m2 and mean body weight of 104 kg at baseline.^1,2

Per trial protocol, these patients were randomized in a 1:1:1:1 to 1.2 mg, 1.8 mg, 2.4 mg pemvidutide or placebo therapy for 48 weeks. Of note, the 1.2 mg and 1.8 mg doses were administered without dose titration, while a 4-week titration period was used for the 2.4 mg dose.^1,2

The 48-week results of the trial indicated the mean reduction in body weight achieved were 10.3%, 11.2%, 15.6% and 2.2% at the pemvidutide 1.2 mg, pemvidutide 1.8 mg, pemvidutide 2.4 mg and placebo groups, respectively. Results also indicated body weight reductions of 20% or greater were achieved by 2.0%, 10.0%, 9.5%, and 32.1% of the placebo, pemvidutide 1.2 mg, pemvidutide 1.8 mg, and pemvidutide 2.4 mg groups, respectively.^1,2

Use was also associated with a statistically significant reduction in triglycerides across all doses, with least square mean reductions achieving significance for the pemvidutide 1.2 mg (-21.7% [SE, 3.9]; P <.0001), pemvidutide 1.8 mg (-22.3% [SE, 4.3]; P <.0001), and pemvidutide 2.4 mg groups (-34.9% [SE, 4.4]; P <.0001). In contrast, the placebo group saw an increase of 7.3% (SE, 4.6).^1,2

At ADA 2024, data presented by Aronne highlighted the results of a full MRI-based body composition analysis, which included 50 subjects who received pemvidutide and demonstrated those using pemvidutide experienced a mean lean mass loss of 21.9% with 78.1% of weight loss attributable to fat.¹

“With its favorable safety profile to-date and the potential to drive clinically meaningful improvements in other obesity-related conditions such as dyslipidemia and hypertension, pemvidutide could offer a highly promising, long-term treatment option for multiple segments of the obese patient population to safely and effectively manage body weight,” Aronne added.²

References:

1. ^{Aronne LJ, Harris MS, Roberts MS, et al. Pemvidutide, a GLP-1/Glucagon Dual Receptor Agonist, in Subjects with Overweight or Obesity—A 48-Week, Placebo-Controlled, Phase 2 (MOMENTUM) Trial. Presented at: American Diabetes Association (ADA) 84th Scientific Sessions. June 21 - 24, 2024. Orlando, FL.}
2. ^{Altimmune. Altimmune presents data from phase 2 momentum trial of Pemvidutide in obesity during oral presentation at the American Diabetes Association’s 84th scientific sessions. Altimmune. June 23, 2024. Accessed June 23, 2024. https://ir.altimmune.com/news-releases/news-release-details/altimmune-presents-data-phase-2-momentum-trial-pemvidutide.}
3. ^{Altimmune. Altimmune announces positive results from week 24 interim analysis of PEMVIDUTIDE Momentum Phase 2 obesity trial and 12-week phase 1B type 2 diabetes safety trial. Altimmune. March 21, 2023. Accessed June 23, 2024. https://ir.altimmune.com/news-releases/news-release-details/altimmune-announces-positive-results-week-24-interim-analysis.}