randomized_controlled_trial · 2025

Effect of pemvidutide, a GLP-1/glucagon dual receptor agonist, on MASLD: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

Harrison SA, Browne SK, Suschak JJ, et al. · Journal of Hepatology

low_to_moderateDOI · 10.1016/j.jhep.2024.07.006PMID · 39002641Trial · nct05006885Verified

Plain-English summary

Pemvidutide reduced liver fat, body weight and several liver-related markers over a short treatment period, but the study was small and cannot establish long-term clinical benefit.

Population

Adults with overweight or obesity and liver fat content of at least 10 percent, with or without diabetes

Sample size

Intervention

Pemvidutide 1.2 mg, 1.8 mg or 2.4 mg subcutaneously once weekly versus placebo for 12 weeks

Outcomes measured

Liver fat content by MRI-PDFF|Body weight|Liver enzymes and inflammatory markers|Safety and tolerability

Key findings

Pemvidutide produced substantial dose-related reductions in liver fat and reduced body weight relative to placebo; gastrointestinal events were common.

Funding & disclosures

Funded by Altimmune; several authors were employees, shareholders or investigators with financial relationships relevant to the sponsor.

Limitations

Small phase 1b sample, short primary treatment period and surrogate endpoints limit certainty. Histological outcomes, long-term safety and patient-important liver outcomes were not established.

Risk of bias

Moderate — randomized and double-blind, but small, early phase and commercially sponsored.

Citation

Harrison SA, Browne SK, Suschak JJ, et al. (2025). Effect of pemvidutide, a GLP-1/glucagon dual receptor agonist, on MASLD: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Journal of Hepatology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhep.2024.07.006

Linked peptides in the PeptiBrief database

→ Pemvidutide