Peptide News Digest

EASL 2026 Day 1: Altimmune Pemvidutide qFibrosis, MetaVia DA-1726, Arrowhead ARO-INHBE 44% Liver Fat, Novo ESSENCE Subgroups, Madrigal Rezdiffra Day 1 Data, Dana-Farber NeoVax GBM ASCO, Aktis AKY-2519 B7-H3 Radioconjugate

EASL Day 1: pemvidutide qFibrosis LBP-036, DA-1726 48 mg, ARO-INHBE 44% liver fat, ESSENCE Japanese/menopausal, Rezdiffra Day 1, NeoVax GBM, Aktis AKY-2519.

10 stories · Covering clinical-trials, industry

Editor's Note

EASL 2026 opens in Barcelona today with the most concentrated MASH-peptide data drop of 2026. Altimmune released the IMPACT Phase 2b qFibrosis-measured fibrosis regression data at the 08:30 CEST late-breaking poster (LBP-036), Dr. Shaheen Tomah presenting — concurrent improvements across multiple non-invasive tests plus HistoIndex qFibrosis-stage improvements at 24 weeks, abstract carrying the 'Best of EASL 2026' designation. MetaVia presented Phase 1 data on DA-1726 (GLP-1/glucagon dual oxyntomodulin analog, 48 mg cohort) with exploratory noninvasive liver assessment. Arrowhead's ARO-INHBE Phase 1/2a interim landed with 85.3% mean maximum Activin E reduction at 400 mg and 44% liver fat reduction at ≥200 mg; in combination with tirzepatide, doubled weight loss and tripled visceral/total/liver fat reduction versus tirzepatide alone. Novo Nordisk presented the ESSENCE Japanese MASH and menopausal women subgroups, extending the semaglutide MASH labeling case across underrepresented populations. Madrigal Pharmaceuticals delivered eight Rezdiffra posters today including ANTICIPATE-NASH portal hypertension risk score improvement in F4c compensated MASH cirrhosis and cardiovascular Lp(a)/LDL-C/ApoB reductions from MAESTRO-NASH and MAESTRO-NAFLD-1 secondary analyses. The non-GLP-1 ASCO 2026 angle continues with Dana-Farber's Phase 1 NeoVax personalized neoantigen peptide vaccine plus pembrolizumab in newly diagnosed glioblastoma (Reardon and Wu reporting) and Aktis Oncology's first-in-human AKY-2519 imaging data — a B7-H3-targeting miniprotein radioconjugate showing robust tumor uptake across mCRPC and solid tumors. Galectin Therapeutics and Sagimet Biosciences rounded out the MASH cirrhosis side with belapectin NAVIGATE and denifanstat-resmetirom combination posters.

Clinical Trials

Altimmune Pemvidutide IMPACT Phase 2b qFibrosis Data Released (May 27 LBP-036, 08:30 CEST): HistoIndex Digital Pathology Shows Significant Fibrosis Regression at 24 Weeks With Concurrent NIT and Cardiovascular-Marker Improvements

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.

#altimmune #pemvidutide #impact-trial #easl-2026 #qfibrosis #histoindex #mash #fibrosis-regression #lbp-036
Clinical Trials

MetaVia DA-1726 Higher-Dose Phase 1 EASL 2026 Late-Breaking Poster: 48 mg Cohort Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics + Exploratory Noninvasive Liver Assessment in GLP-1/Glucagon Dual Oxyntomodulin Analog

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.

#metavia #da-1726 #easl-2026 #oxyntomodulin #glp-1-glucagon #higher-dose-phase-1 #noninvasive-liver-assessment
Clinical Trials

Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals ARO-INHBE EASL 2026 (May 27): RNAi-Based Activin E/ALK7 Pathway Therapeutic Cuts Liver Fat 44% at ≥200 mg; Doubles Weight Loss + Triples Fat Reduction in Combination With Tirzepatide

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.

#arrowhead-pharmaceuticals #aro-inhbe #activin-e #alk7 #rnai-therapeutic #easl-2026 #tirzepatide-combination
Clinical Trials

Dana-Farber NeoVax Personalized Neoantigen Peptide Vaccine + Pembrolizumab in Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma — Phase 1 ASCO 2026 Data Shows Anti-Tumor Activity Persisting Past One Year

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.

#dana-farber #neovax #personalized-neoantigen #peptide-vaccine #glioblastoma #pembrolizumab #asco-2026 #phase-1
Clinical Trials

Novo Nordisk ESSENCE Japanese MASH Subgroup + Menopausal Women Analyses Land at EASL 2026 Day 1 — Extending Semaglutide MASH-with-Fibrosis Approval Toward Underrepresented Populations

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.

#novo-nordisk #essence-trial #semaglutide #mash #japanese-subgroup #menopausal-women #easl-2026
Clinical Trials

Madrigal Rezdiffra EASL 2026 Day 1 Eight-Poster Data Drop (May 27): Cardiovascular Lp(a)/LDL-C/ApoB Reductions + ANTICIPATE-NASH Portal Hypertension Risk Score Improvement in Compensated F4c MASH Cirrhosis

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.

#madrigal-pharmaceuticals #rezdiffra #resmetirom #easl-2026 #anticipate-nash #portal-hypertension #mash-cirrhosis #f4c
Clinical Trials

Aktis Oncology AKY-2519 First-in-Human Imaging + Dosimetry Data: B7-H3-Targeting Miniprotein Radioconjugate Shows Robust Tumor Uptake in mCRPC and Solid Tumors (ASCO 2026)

Aktis Oncology released first-in-human clinical imaging and dosimetry data on AKY-2519 ahead of ASCO 2026. AKY-2519 is a miniprotein radioconjugate — a small synthetic protein scaffold (akin to engineered peptide architecture) linked to a therapeutic radionuclide — targeting B7-H3, an antigen overexpressed in multiple solid tumors including metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) and non-small cell lung cancer. The Phase 1 data demonstrated robust tumor uptake and limited normal-tissue exposure across multiple B7-H3-expressing tumor types. Two ASCO 2026 poster presentations cover the imaging and dosimetry results. The FDA cleared the IND for AKY-2519 in March 2026; a Phase 1b clinical trial in mCRPC patients is ongoing, with a second Phase 1b in various B7-H3-expressing tumor types expected to initiate in H2 2026. AKY-2519 joins Novartis's Pluvicto (PSMA-617) and Lutathera (DOTATATE) in the small but growing class of peptide-related radioconjugates with first-in-human or commercial validation.

#aktis-oncology #aky-2519 #b7-h3 #miniprotein-radioconjugate #mcrpc #radiopharmaceutical #asco-2026 #first-in-human
Clinical Trials

Galectin Therapeutics Belapectin NAVIGATE Trial EASL 2026 (May 27): New Oral and Poster Analyses on Disease-Modification Potential in Advanced MASH Cirrhosis

Galectin Therapeutics announced oral and poster presentations today at EASL 2026 covering new analyses from the global Phase 3 NAVIGATE trial of belapectin in advanced MASH cirrhosis. Belapectin is a galectin-3 inhibitor (a carbohydrate-based, not strictly peptide, therapeutic) developed for compensated MASH cirrhosis — the indication that current FDA-approved MASH therapies (Madrigal's Rezdiffra, August 2025-approved semaglutide) do not yet directly address. The NAVIGATE trial is designed to demonstrate disease-modification potential in compensated MASH cirrhosis (F4c) — the patient population at highest risk of progression to decompensated cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The Galectin data sits alongside Madrigal's parallel EASL data on Rezdiffra cardiovascular and portal-hypertension markers from MAESTRO-NASH/MAESTRO-NAFLD-1 secondary analyses, completing the non-peptide MASH-treatment context for the GLP-1/glucagon peptide programs at the meeting.

#galectin-therapeutics #belapectin #navigate-trial #mash-cirrhosis #easl-2026 #galectin-3-inhibitor
Clinical Trials

Sagimet Biosciences Denifanstat + Resmetirom MASH Combination EASL 2026 Posters (May 27): FASN Inhibitor + Madrigal's Rezdiffra as Combination MASH Therapy Test

Sagimet Biosciences presented two posters at EASL 2026 today on the combination of its denifanstat (FASN inhibitor small molecule) with Madrigal's Rezdiffra (resmetirom, thyroid hormone receptor β agonist) for MASH. The combination work tests whether layered MASH therapies producing complementary mechanism-of-action effects can outperform either monotherapy. Denifanstat inhibits fatty acid synthase — the enzyme producing the majority of newly synthesized fatty acids in the liver — reducing hepatic lipogenesis upstream of the inflammation and fibrosis cascade that resmetirom addresses through downstream thyroid-hormone-receptor mechanisms. The combination represents the broader trend of MASH-as-multi-mechanism-battleground that defines EASL 2026: GLP-1/glucagon peptides (pemvidutide, DA-1726, survodutide), RNAi (ARO-INHBE), thyroid hormone agonism (Rezdiffra), FASN inhibition (denifanstat), and galectin-3 inhibition (belapectin) all running parallel programs.

#sagimet-biosciences #denifanstat #resmetirom #fasn-inhibitor #easl-2026 #mash-combination-therapy
Industry

EASL 2026 Day 1 Multi-Company MASH Slate Lands — Pemvidutide, DA-1726, ARO-INHBE, ESSENCE, Belapectin, Rezdiffra, Denifanstat-Resmetirom Combination All Drop Data Today

EASL 2026 Day 1 in Barcelona delivered the most concentrated MASH-therapeutics data cycle of 2026. The peptide-mechanism cohort: Altimmune pemvidutide qFibrosis fibrosis regression (LBP-036), MetaVia DA-1726 48 mg Phase 1 noninvasive liver assessment, Novo Nordisk ESSENCE Japanese/menopausal subgroups. The non-peptide-mechanism cohort: Arrowhead ARO-INHBE RNAi (Activin E/ALK7 pathway), Galectin Therapeutics belapectin NAVIGATE (galectin-3 inhibitor), Sagimet Biosciences denifanstat + resmetirom combination (FASN inhibitor + Madrigal's Rezdiffra), Madrigal eight-poster Rezdiffra data drop on cardiovascular and portal hypertension markers. The combined cycle reframes MASH as a multi-mechanism battleground rather than a single-class indication — GLP-1/glucagon peptides compete against thyroid-hormone-receptor agonism, RNAi, galectin-3 inhibition, FASN inhibition, and emerging combinations. Thursday May 28 brings the Altimmune pemvidutide oral presentation at 17:00 CEST; Friday May 29 brings ASCO opening in Chicago to anchor the parallel peptide-oncology cycle.

#easl-2026 #mash #barcelona #day-1 #pemvidutide #da-1726 #aro-inhbe #essence-trial #rezdiffra