Wave Life Sciences Obesity Biomarker Data Raise Hopes for Future Readouts

Wave Life Sciences is developing WVE-007, a GalNAc-conjugated siRNA therapy targeting the INHBE gene, for the treatment of obesity1 2 3 5.

Recent INLIGHT Phase 1 trial data showed potent, dose-dependent reductions in the obesity biomarker Activin E:
56% (75 mg), 75% (240 mg), and 85% (400 mg) at day 29 post-dose, with effects sustained for six months in the lowest-dose cohort3 5.

WVE-007 has so far demonstrated a favorable safety profile and was generally well tolerated across dose levels, enabling expansion of the trial to a 600 mg dose cohort3 5.

The durability of biomarker response with just a single dose suggests potential for infrequent dosing, possibly once or twice per year, which could be advantageous over current therapies5.

Wave expects body composition and weight loss data (key efficacy readouts) to begin reporting in Q4 2025, which will be critical in determining the clinical impact of the biomarker findings3 5 9.

The company highlighted WVE-007's potential to achieve fat loss comparable to, or exceeding, that of leading GLP-1 therapies like Wegovy, while preserving muscle mass and minimizing gastrointestinal or CNS side effects seen with current treatments1 5.

WVE-007 could be used as monotherapy or as a maintenance therapy after GLP-1 agonist treatment, and is being positioned for global markets without requiring genetic testing1.

Additional biomarkers suggest the therapy may improve insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism, pointing to a broader metabolic benefit7.