Clinical trial coverage on Peptide News Digest pulls in Phase 1 through Phase 3 readouts across the peptide universe — GLP-1 obesity and cardiometabolic trials (SELECT, SURMOUNT-4, ACHIEVE-3, REDEFINE-1, SYNCHRONIZE-1), peptide vaccine work (AMPLIFY-201, MEL39), peptide-drug conjugate trials, and antimicrobial peptide programs.
Most of the noise sits with Lilly and Novo, but the interesting reads are usually elsewhere: Bicycle Therapeutics on solid tumors, Lirum on Ewing sarcoma, Cerapedics on lumbar fusion, Pelage on hair loss. Real-world evidence and registry data also land here when they reframe what the randomized trials showed.
Each entry names the sponsor, the phase, and the endpoint. Browse the latest below, or jump to the readouts by drug at #semaglutide, #tirzepatide, or #orforglipron.
ImPact Biotech presented first-cohort Phase 1 data at ASCO 2026 (May 30, 9:00 AM CT, GI Cancer session) on intra-arterial padeliporfin vascular-targeted photodynamic therapy (VTP) in locally advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (LA-PDAC). The light-dose escalation study showed a consistent tolerability profile with early signs of clinical efficacy, including potential to convert patients with unresectable stage III tumors to surgically resectable candidates — a meaningful endpoint in pancreatic cancer where surgical resection is the only curative path. Padeliporfin VTP is a minimally invasive drug-device combination: the bacteriochlorophyll-derived photosensitizer is activated by non-thermal laser light delivered via optical fibers, producing selective tumor ablation in the tumor microenvironment. ImPact's lead program is the Phase 3 ENLIGHTED trial in low-grade upper-tract urothelial carcinoma (updated data at AUA 2026 in May). The pancreatic data extends the VTP platform into one of oncology's hardest-to-treat solid tumors.
EASL 2026's final day delivered a cluster of hepatitis B functional-cure late-breakers spanning gene, epigenetic, and immune approaches. TUNE Therapeutics presented TUNE-401 (May 30, 13:30 CEST), a first-in-class epigenetic silencer of HBV demonstrating deep and durable antiviral activity. Precision BioSciences presented PBGENE-HBV gene-editing data from the ELIMINATE-B study showing first evidence of elimination and inactivation of cccDNA — the persistent viral reservoir that makes HBV functionally incurable — in liver biopsies from treated chronic HBV patients. Brii Bio presented end-of-study data from the Phase 2 ENSURE study supporting BRII-179, a protein-based therapeutic HBV vaccine designed to restore immune control. The functional-cure wave advances alongside the entry-inhibitor approaches covered earlier in the week — Gilead's just-approved bulevirtide peptide (Hepcludex) and Assembly Biosciences' oral ABI-6250 — illustrating that HBV/HDV is becoming a multi-modality battleground across peptides, gene editing, epigenetic silencing, and therapeutic vaccines.
Corbus Pharmaceuticals reported updated CRB-701 (SYS6002) Phase 1/2 data at ASCO 2026, presented by Professor Yohann Loriot (Gustave Roussy) in the May 29 4:57 PM CDT gynecological cancer session (Abstract 5508). CRB-701 — a next-generation Nectin-4 antibody-drug conjugate with a site-specific cleavable linker, drug-antibody ratio of 2, and MMAE payload — demonstrated a confirmed objective response rate of 42.9% in second-line oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) at 3.6 mg/kg (median duration of response 6.3 months, PFS 5.6 months) and 34.4% in second-line cervical cancer (median DOR 8.0 months, PFS 4.3 months). Both tumor types express high Nectin-4 and are HPV-driven. The FDA granted CRB-701 two Fast Track designations. Corbus is on track to start the registrational TEMPO-1 study in 2L OPSCC in summer 2026 — a randomized 250-patient trial vs investigator's-choice monotherapy with ORR as the primary endpoint for potential accelerated approval. CRB-701 competes in the Nectin-4 space with Pfizer's Padcev (enfortumab vedotin) and Bicycle Therapeutics' bicyclic-peptide zelenectide pevedotin.
Telix Pharmaceuticals reported ProstACT Global Phase 3 Part 1 data at ASCO 2026 as a late-breaking presentation. TLX591-Tx (lutetium-177 rosopatamab tetraxetan) — a PSMA-targeted lutetium radio-antibody-drug conjugate — met its primary safety objectives in the safety and dosimetry lead-in, demonstrating an acceptable tolerability profile with no new safety signals when combined with enzalutamide (Xtandi), abiraterone (Zytiga), or followed by docetaxel in PSMA-positive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). ProstACT Global is an international Phase 3 trial evaluating TLX591-Tx plus standard of care versus standard of care alone. The drug sits in the PSMA-targeted radioligand class alongside Novartis's approved Pluvicto (lutetium-177 PSMA-617, a peptide-based radioligand), but uses an antibody rather than a small-molecule peptide as the targeting vector. The PSMA radioligand field — Pluvicto, ProstACT, plus the Aktis AKY-2519 B7-H3 miniprotein radioconjugate covered earlier this week — is one of the fastest-growing targeted-conjugate categories in oncology.
Aligos Therapeutics presented additional EASL 2026 data on its chronic hepatitis B (HBV) combination strategy. An analog of ALG-170675, a potential best-in-class antisense oligonucleotide (ASO), demonstrated additive-to-synergistic effects when combined with ALG-001075 (the active parent moiety of pevifoscorvir sodium, a capsid assembly modulator). Separately, 40% of HBeAg-positive chronic HBV patients treated with pevifoscorvir sodium for 48 weeks reached HBsAg reductions low enough to potentially qualify for ASO treatment — supporting a sequencing strategy toward functional HBV cure where the capsid modulator lowers viral antigen load before the ASO finishes the job. The data complements the ALG-055009 THR-β MASH results (46.2% liver-fat reduction) Aligos presented earlier in the week. The combination-and-sequencing approach mirrors the broader trend in liver disease toward layered mechanisms rather than single-agent therapy, and positions Aligos across the HBV, HDV, and MASH liver-disease franchises.
MetaVia's higher-dose Phase 1 readout for DA-1726 at EASL 2026 produced specific efficacy numbers: the 48 mg cohort in obese but otherwise healthy adults achieved 9.1% mean body-weight reduction and a 9.8 cm waist-circumference reduction at Day 54, with exploratory FibroScan liver improvements and no serious adverse events. DA-1726 is a once-weekly subcutaneous oxyntomodulin analog acting as a 3:1 ratio GLP-1/glucagon dual receptor agonist for obesity and MASH. The 9.1% weight loss in roughly eight weeks is a fast trajectory for an early-phase obesity peptide and supports MetaVia's case heading into the 16-week Phase 1 Part 3 titration study reading out Q4 2026. The waist reduction (a glucagon-receptor-driven visceral-fat signal) and the FibroScan liver improvements position DA-1726 in the dual obesity-and-MASH lane alongside survodutide and pemvidutide. MetaVia's three ADA 2026 late-breaking abstracts (June 7 New Orleans) extend the DA-1726 and vanoglipel data sets.
BriaCell's ASCO 2026 poster presentations added a biomarker finding beyond the headline 16.6-month median overall survival for Bria-IMT. In an ongoing analysis of heavily pretreated metastatic breast cancer patients, 65% showed stability or a drop in Cancer-Associated Macrophage-Like cells (CAMLs) — circulating cells in the blood that reflect tumor activity — and that change significantly correlated with better progression-free survival. The CAML biomarker offers a potential early blood-based readout of Bria-IMT response, which matters for an immunotherapy where conventional imaging can lag the immune response. BriaCell's six ASCO 2026 data items (three posters, three publication-only abstracts) cover the pivotal Phase 3 Bria-ABC study of Bria-IMT plus checkpoint inhibitor plus further Phase 2 analyses. Bria-IMT is a whole-cell allogeneic peptide-and-cell immunotherapy in heavily pretreated metastatic breast cancer that has failed ADC, checkpoint, and CDK4/6 inhibitor therapy. The biomarker work supports patient selection and response monitoring as the program advances toward accelerated-approval discussions.
Altimmune presented the full Week 48 top-line IMPACT Phase 2b oral data for pemvidutide in MASH today at EASL 2026 Barcelona (Dr. Mazen Noureddin, Houston Methodist Hospital, 17:00 CEST). The 1.8 mg dose reduced triglycerides 23.7%, total cholesterol 15.4%, body weight 7.5%, BMI 3.0 kg/m², and waist circumference 5.3 cm, alongside blood pressure reduction. Safety held at 48 weeks with roughly 1% discontinuation due to adverse events and mostly mild-to-moderate gastrointestinal events. Previously reported: 27.8% (1.2 mg) and 32.4% (1.8 mg) of patients achieved combined ELF and LSM improvements versus 3.2% on placebo. The 48-week analysis carries the 'Best of EASL 2026' designation. Pemvidutide is a balanced 1:1 GLP-1/glucagon dual receptor agonist peptide with FDA Fast Track + Breakthrough Therapy Designations for MASH. The cardiometabolic-risk-factor profile positions pemvidutide as differentiated on the lipid and cardiovascular axis versus pure GLP-1 agonists.
Boehringer Ingelheim's survodutide full 48-week Phase 2 MASH dataset published in the New England Journal of Medicine alongside the EASL 2026 presentation. MASH improvement without worsening of fibrosis occurred in 47% of the 2.4 mg group, 62% of the 4.8 mg group, and 43% of the 6.0 mg group, versus 14% on placebo. Up to 52% of survodutide-treated adults achieved significant improvement across fibrosis stages F1, F2, and F3 versus around 26% on placebo. Survodutide is an investigational long-acting glucagon/GLP-1 receptor dual agonist (BI 456906, partnered with Zealand Pharma) for once-weekly subcutaneous administration. The Phase 3 program is advancing through LIVERAGE (~1,800 adults with MASH F2-F3) and LIVERAGE-Cirrhosis (~1,590 adults with compensated MASH cirrhosis F4). Survodutide also posted 16.6% weight loss in the SYNCHRONIZE-1 obesity Phase 3 (April 2026). The NEJM publication is the strongest peer-reviewed validation of the GLP-1/glucagon dual mechanism in MASH to date.
Aligos Therapeutics presented positive data across ten presentations at EASL 2026 Barcelona. The headline MASH data: ALG-055009, a THR-β (thyroid hormone receptor beta) agonist small molecule, met its primary endpoint in the Phase 2a HERALD study with robust liver-fat reduction at week 12 — doses of 0.5 mg to 0.9 mg achieving statistically significant reductions with placebo-adjusted median relative reductions up to 46.2% as measured by MRI-PDFF. On the viral hepatology side, Aligos presented Phase 1 data on pevifoscorvir sodium suggesting a reduced cccDNA reservoir in chronic HBV patients, with an investigator-led study showing ≥24-week follow-up in HBeAg+ participants after 96 weeks of monotherapy. The combined slate spans the Aligos chronic HBV, HDV, MASH, and liver cancer pipeline. The ALG-055009 THR-β mechanism puts Aligos in direct competition with Madrigal's Rezdiffra (resmetirom), the only FDA-approved MASH therapy, on the same receptor target.
Mayo Clinic researchers led by Dr. Kathryn Ruddy will present a randomized Phase 2 trial of the folate receptor alpha (FRα) peptide vaccine TPIV200 in early-stage triple-negative breast cancer at ASCO 2026 (Abstract 536, June 1, 1:30-4:30 PM CDT). The trial dosed 80 patients with vaccine; 58 were evaluable for immunogenicity. The TPIV200 multi-epitope FRα peptide vaccine was found safe and immunogenic using a single low-dose injection without cyclophosphamide priming. FRα is overexpressed on the cell surface in breast, ovarian, and lung cancers, making it a shared-antigen vaccine target distinct from personalized neoantigen approaches. The data supports combining TPIV200 with an immune checkpoint inhibitor to extend recurrence-free or progression-free survival in TNBC — the breast cancer subtype with the highest mortality risk and fewest targeted-therapy options. The vaccine adds to the peptide cancer vaccine cohort (BioVaxys MVP-S, Dana-Farber NeoVax, Greenwich GP2) at ASCO 2026.
Assembly Biosciences presented topline Phase 1a data on ABI-6250 at EASL 2026 (poster WED-579, Dr. Edward Gane, University of Auckland) — a first-in-class oral hepatitis D virus (HDV) entry inhibitor. The Phase 1a study evaluated safety, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamic activity in healthy participants; the data supports advancing directly into a Phase 2 study by year-end. ABI-6250 is the only oral entry inhibitor in development for chronic HDV. The mechanistic context matters: Gilead's Hepcludex (bulevirtide) — a 47-amino-acid injectable lipopeptide NTCP entry inhibitor — just won FDA accelerated approval May 22 as the first US HDV treatment. ABI-6250 targets the same entry-inhibition step but as an oral small molecule rather than an injectable peptide, positioning it as a potential next-generation convenience competitor in the small but newly-validated HDV market. Assembly also announced May 22 an expansion of ABI-6250 development into cholestatic liver diseases. The peptide-vs-small-molecule dynamic in HDV mirrors the same competition that played out in GLP-1 (injectable semaglutide vs oral orforglipron).
Altimmune released new analyses from the IMPACT Phase 2b trial today at EASL 2026 Barcelona. The late-breaking poster LBP-036 (Dr. Shaheen Tomah, 08:30 CEST) reported pemvidutide treatment produced concurrent improvements across multiple non-invasive tests of MASH activity and fibrosis, with HistoIndex qFibrosis digital-pathology analysis documenting significant fibrosis-stage improvements at 24 weeks versus placebo. The trial randomized 212 biopsy-confirmed MASH patients (F2-F3 fibrosis, with and without diabetes) to weekly subcutaneous pemvidutide 1.2 mg, 1.8 mg, or placebo over 48 weeks. Companion data on response analysis across NITs of liver inflammation/fibrosis and cardiovascular measures landed in additional posters. The abstract carries the EASL committee's 'Best of EASL 2026' top-tier selection. Pemvidutide is a 1:1 balanced GLP-1/glucagon dual receptor agonist peptide with FDA Fast Track + Breakthrough Therapy Designations for MASH; oral presentation Thursday May 28 at 17:00 CEST anchors the 48-week efficacy and safety data.
MetaVia presented late-breaking Phase 1 data on DA-1726 at the EASL Congress 2026 today in Barcelona. The poster titled 'Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics, and Pharmacodynamics of DA-1726, an Oxyntomodulin Analogue, in a Higher-Dose Phase 1 Cohort with Exploratory Noninvasive Liver Assessment' covers the 48 mg dose level. DA-1726 is a once-weekly subcutaneous oxyntomodulin analog functioning as a GLP-1 receptor (GLP1R) and glucagon receptor (GCGR) dual agonist for obesity and MASH. The 4-week Phase 1 MAD trial earlier in 2026 documented compelling weight loss with best-in-class potential glucose control (GLP-1R arm), waist reduction (GCGR arm), and tolerability profile. The current 16-week Phase 1 Part 3 titration study is designed to optimize higher-dose levels and tolerability with full data expected Q4 2026. The EASL poster extends the early-phase MASH biomarker package and supports the planned Phase 2 advancement.
Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals presented Phase 1/2a interim clinical data on ARO-INHBE at EASL 2026 today (Rinki Murphy, MBChB, PhD presenting). ARO-INHBE is an RNAi therapeutic targeting the Activin E/ALK7 pathway — a genetically validated regulator of adipose fat storage. The data: a single 400 mg dose produced 85.3% mean maximum Activin E reduction with persistent effect beyond 3 months; ≥200 mg doses reduced liver fat 44%. In combination with low-dose tirzepatide 5 mg in obese patients with type 2 diabetes, ARO-INHBE doubled weight loss and tripled reductions in visceral fat, total fat, and liver fat versus tirzepatide alone. Effect persists through Week 24 supporting potential twice-yearly dosing. Arrowhead is engaging with regulatory authorities on Phase 2 designs in MASH and obesity. The combination data is the strongest evidence to date that adding a non-GLP-1 mechanism to incretin therapy can meaningfully amplify body-composition outcomes — a contrast to the GLP-1-alone monotherapy story that has dominated obesity-pharmacology since 2021.
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute researchers led by David Reardon (Director, Center for Neuro-Oncology) and Catherine Wu (Chief, Division of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cell Therapies) presented Phase 1 data at ASCO 2026 on NeoVax — a personalized neoantigen peptide vaccine — combined with pembrolizumab in newly diagnosed glioblastoma. The study excluded dexamethasone (an immune suppressant) and added pembrolizumab to enhance anti-tumor activity. Vaccine-stimulated anti-tumor activity was still evident in some patients after one year, with vaccine-specific T cells migrating into the brain and tumors following vaccination. The MGMT-methylated patient subgroup showed median survival meaningfully exceeding historical observations, though the authors emphasized this requires cautious interpretation given the lack of a randomized comparator arm. The timing of pembrolizumab administration didn't affect immune-response stimulation, but pembrolizumab-before-NeoVax-priming may extend overall survival. NeoVax adds to the personalized neoantigen vaccine cohort (BioNTech autogene cevumeran, Moderna intismeran autogene, Evaxion EVX-01) anchoring the broader peptide cancer vaccine field.
Novo Nordisk presented two ESSENCE Phase 3 subgroup analyses at EASL 2026 today. The Japanese MASH subgroup analysis extends the semaglutide 2.4 mg efficacy and safety case to Asian populations where MASLD and MASH develop at lower body-mass-index thresholds and involve distinct metabolic risk profiles. The Menopause subgroup analysis covers women in menopause, where hormonal changes accelerate liver disease progression and metabolic deterioration. Both analyses show consistent hepatic safety profile and efficacy across the underrepresented groups. The August 2025 FDA MASH-with-fibrosis approval of semaglutide 2.4 mg was based on the broader ESSENCE Phase 3 cohort; the EASL Day 1 presentations strengthen the global labeling case across non-Western populations and the menopausal-women subgroup that has historically been underrepresented in MASH clinical trials. Real-world evidence data presented today documents quality-of-life impairment and healthcare-cost escalation in MASH patients.
Madrigal Pharmaceuticals delivered eight Rezdiffra (resmetirom) poster presentations at EASL 2026 today. Key data: secondary analysis of MAESTRO-NASH and MAESTRO-NAFLD-1 documented Rezdiffra-driven improvements in cardiovascular lipid risk markers (Lp(a), LDL-C, ApoB); a two-year analysis in patients with compensated MASH cirrhosis (F4c) showed meaningful improvement in ANTICIPATE-NASH risk scores, a validated marker for clinically significant portal hypertension. Real-world effectiveness analyses and noninvasive biomarker plus machine-learning models for predicting MASH and fibrosis improvement rounded out the presentation slate. Rezdiffra (resmetirom) — a thyroid hormone receptor β agonist small molecule, not a peptide — was approved March 2024 as the first FDA-approved MASH therapy for noncirrhotic MASH with F2-F3 fibrosis. The compensated MASH cirrhosis (F4c) data extend the case toward an indication where the GLP-1/glucagon peptide programs (pemvidutide IMPACT, survodutide SYNCHRONIZE-1, retatrutide MASLD Phase 3) are also competing.