NEW YORK - Tiziana Life Sciences , Ltd. (NASDAQ:TLSA), a biotechnology company, revealed today that its lead candidate, intranasal foralumab, in combination with Novo Nordisk's (NYSE:NYSE:NVO) semaglutide, has shown positive effects in reducing obesity-related inflammation in preclinical models. The study, conducted at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, suggests a potential new treatment for obesity-related metabolic disorders.
The research demonstrated that the combination of nasal anti-CD3 and semaglutide promotes liver homeostasis and significantly reduces inflammation markers in diet-induced obesity models. This synergistic effect could offer a dual benefit in managing obesity and preventing associated complications.
Dr. Howard L. Weiner, Chairman of Tiziana’s Scientific Advisory Board, expressed excitement about the potential of the novel combination for treating metabolic disorders. Selma Boulenouar PhD, co-leader of the study, highlighted the importance of addressing chronic inflammation and liver diseases in the context of obesity, noting the combination therapy's ability to mitigate inflammatory responses and restore normal liver function.
Obesity is a serious global health issue, with its related metabolic disorders leading to increased morbidity and healthcare costs. Tiziana's approach combines immunomodulation and weight management therapies, targeting both metabolic and inflammatory aspects of obesity.
Ivor Elrifi, CEO of Tiziana Life Sciences, stated that the company plans to advance these preclinical findings into clinical development, aiming to begin human trials in the future. Tiziana's broader development program for Foralumab includes other inflammatory and autoimmune indications.
Foralumab is a fully human anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody that has shown promise in stimulating regulatory T cells when administered intranasally. It has demonstrated a favorable safety profile and clinical response in several studies, including an ongoing Phase 2a trial in patients with non-active secondary progressive multiple sclerosis.
The company's commitment to scientific innovation is aimed at addressing unmet medical needs across diverse therapeutic areas. This announcement is based on a press release statement, and the full findings are expected to be published in a peer-reviewed journal.
In other recent news, Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY) and Co reported a sales miss for its weight-loss and diabetes drugs, Mounjaro and Zepbound, attributing the shortfall to a reduction in U.S. wholesale inventory levels. Despite the miss, quarterly figures indicated strong demand for the treatments, with Mounjaro and Zepbound generating $3.11 billion and $1.26 billion in revenue respectively. However, these figures fell short of analysts' projections. In response to these developments, Eli Lilly adjusted its full-year sales forecast and revised its annual adjusted profit forecast.
Meanwhile, Novo Nordisk, a rival in the weight-loss drug market, was downgraded from Buy to Hold by Erste Group due to concerns about supply bottlenecks and slower production capacity expansion compared to competitors. In other developments, Novo Nordisk's controlling shareholder, Novo Holdings, is facing opposition regarding its proposed acquisition of Catalent (NYSE:CTLT), with concerns raised by Roche's CEO and U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren about potential negative impacts on competition within the weight-loss drug market.
In addition, Catalent agreed to sell its Somerset, New Jersey facility to Ardena, a private contract drug manufacturer. The transaction is expected to be completed in early 2025. These are recent developments in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly concerning companies involved in the production of weight-loss and diabetes drugs.
InvestingPro Insights
As Tiziana Life Sciences and Novo Nordisk collaborate on this promising obesity treatment, it's worth taking a closer look at Novo Nordisk's financial health and market position. According to InvestingPro data, Novo Nordisk boasts a substantial market capitalization of $480.64 billion, underlining its significant presence in the pharmaceutical industry.
The company's revenue growth is particularly noteworthy, with a 28.15% increase over the last twelve months as of Q2 2024. This robust growth aligns well with Novo Nordisk's involvement in innovative treatments like semaglutide and its potential combination with Tiziana's foralumab.
An InvestingPro Tip highlights that Novo Nordisk is a prominent player in the Pharmaceuticals industry, which is evident from its market position and involvement in cutting-edge research. This status could potentially bolster the impact of the collaborative study with Tiziana Life Sciences.
Another relevant InvestingPro Tip indicates that Novo Nordisk has maintained dividend payments for 36 consecutive years. This long-standing commitment to shareholder returns suggests financial stability, which could be reassuring for investors considering the company's involvement in new treatment developments.
For those interested in a deeper analysis, InvestingPro offers 11 additional tips for Novo Nordisk, providing a comprehensive view of the company's financial health and market position.
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