Biopharmaceutical company Metsera has reported encouraging findings from mid-stage studies of its experimental obesity treatment MET-097i, an ultra-long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist. The data suggest the drug could become a competitive option in the fast-growing weight-management market, with Phase 3 trials expected to begin later this year.
In the 28-week VESPER-1 trial, patients receiving weekly doses of MET-097i achieved significant reductions in body weight compared with placebo, with the highest dose group showing losses of more than 14 %. Importantly, these benefits were seen in individuals living with obesity or overweight but without type 2 diabetes.
The companion VESPER-3 study reinforced both the efficacy and safety picture. While some gastrointestinal effects such as nausea and vomiting occurred, the frequency was relatively low, and very few participants stopped treatment due to side effects. Overall discontinuation rates remained below 3 %, underscoring the therapy’s tolerability.
Metsera highlights MET-097i’s design as a once-weekly injectable that may eventually support even less frequent dosing. The company believes the candidate’s performance could rival that of more complex dual-agonist therapies, but with a simpler mechanism of action that may allow broader accessibility and scalability.
Following the positive Phase 2b outcomes, the company is preparing to advance MET-097i into late-stage studies, positioning the drug as a potential best-in-class therapy in the global obesity pipeline. Analysts note that while further validation in larger trials is critical, these early results put Metsera on the map as a serious contender in obesity drug development.