Metsera Spotlights a Monthly Amylin Analog for Obesity

Yesterday, Metsera presented investors with topline data from phase one studies of a new amylin analog for obesity that promises monthly dosing. This is an early stage drug known only by its code name – MET-233i. Metsera is a young biotech company, founded in 2022. The big news here: 8.4% placebo-subtracted weight loss after 36 days of therapy.  CEO Whit Bernard was explicit with his enthusiasm about these early-stage findings:

“What the efficacy number – that big efficacy number – gives us confidence in, though, is that we’re gonna ultimately have a very efficacious profile.”

This certainly certainly sounds good. The company presentation of these results threw around superlatives like first-in-class and best-in-class. So naturally, the stock price of Metsera jumped more than ten percent on this news.

But remember, this was a phase one study. It was not a true test of effectiveness. It is still years away from pivotal trial results that will take this drug to an approval.

Two Hot Concepts: Monthly Dosing and Amylin Analogs

This news does, however, bring together two hot concepts for the future of obesity care. One is monthly dosing. The other is the excitement that is building for the use of amylin analogs in obesity treatment.

We’ve noted here before that enthusiasm for amylin analogs in obesity has a long history. That enthusiasm is rising on the expectation that these drugs might bring a better balance of effectiveness and tolerability.

Likewise, monthly dosing has the potential for great appeal. People do not like having to take daily or even weekly injections for obesity. It just doesn’t sit well. Constant reminders that obesity is a chronic disease is not something that many people accept easily. Perhaps infrequent dosing will help people get over that hump.

We will find out, because very soon we will be seeing detailed results with monthly MariTide in a phase two study. This is coming up at the ADA Scientific Sessions June 20-23 in Chicago. Maritide is a monthly dual-acting drug that targets two different receptors. It is an agonist for GLP-1 and an antagonist for GIP.

So yes, you can expect to hear much more about long acting obesity medicines that don’t require frequent dosing.

Click here, here, and here for more on the news from Metsera. For the company presentation of these results, click here.

Ships in Moonlight, painting by Albert Bierstadt / WikiArt

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June 10, 2025