Weight Loss With a Novel Peptide YY Analogue for Obesity: A Randomised, Placebo-Controlled Phase I Trial

• Published in: Journal of the Endocrine Society Vol. 5; no. Supplement_1; p. A32
• Main Authors: Tan, Tricia, Minnion, James, Eu Khoo, Bernard Chong, Ball, Laura-Jayne, Malviya, Reshma, Day, Emily, Fiorentino, Francesca, Brindley, Charlie, Bush, Jim, Bloom, Stephen R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 03.05.2021
• ISSN: 2472-1972; 2472-1972
• DOI: 10.1210/jendso/bvab048.061

Abstract Background: Obesity and its co-morbidities remain a prime driver of global morbidity and mortality. Current therapies for obesity are limited in efficacy and durability, have serious adverse effects or are not scalable to the numbers required to treat this widespread disease. Gut hormones such as peptide YY (PYY) have emerged as candidate therapies for obesity which activate natural satiety pathways, reduce food intake and therefore body weight. We report the results from a Phase I trial of a PYY analogue, Y14, in overweight volunteers. Methods: In a first time in human Phase I randomized placebo-controlled trial, an extended-release formulation of Y14 with zinc chloride for subcutaneous injection, utilizing various Zn:peptide molar ratios, was tested. Part A of the trial was a partially blinded single ascending dose study. Part B was double-blinded and tested multiple ascending doses given at 7–14 day intervals over the course of 28 days with up to 5 doses given per subject. The primary outcome was the safety and tolerability of extended-release Y14; the secondary outcome was to assess its pharmacokinetics. Exploratory outcomes included the assessment of food consumption, body weight and glucose tolerance in response to 75g oral glucose load after multiple doses of Y14. [ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03673111]. Findings: Between Apr 11, 2017, and Dec 24, 2018 44 participants were enrolled into Part A of the trial and 24 into Part B and were included in the full analysis and safety datasets. The multiple doses of Y14 given in Part B led to significant mean placebo-subtracted reductions in body weight of 2.76 to 3.59 kg at 31 days after the first dose, in association with profound reductions in food intake and no evidence of tachyphylaxis. No significant changes in glucose tolerance were detected. The most common adverse events were nausea, vomiting and injection site reactions. No serious adverse events occurred. The pharmacokinetic characteristics of extended-release Y14 were compatible with administration every 7–14 days. Interpretation: Our results support the continued development of Y14 as a novel treatment for obesity. Funding: UK Medical Research Council Developmental Pathway Funding Scheme.