Doylestown, Pa.– Metabolics Pharma has announced encouraging early-stage clinical results for its investigational drug ENT-03, showing it was safe, well tolerated, and showed signs of effectiveness in obese and diabetic patients.
The findings come from a Phase 1a clinical trial presented at the American Diabetes Association’s 85th Scientific Sessions on June 22. While primarily focused on evaluating safety, the study also indicated promising trends in weight loss and improved insulin sensitivity at higher doses.
ENT-03 is a novel compound that targets brain circuits regulating metabolism. It works by inhibiting Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), a mechanism that could help normalize glucose levels and enhance insulin response. According to Metabolics, the drug also showed a durable therapeutic effect in preclinical models, including sustained benefits after treatment ended.
In the trial, participants—including obese individuals and those with type 2 diabetes—received single subcutaneous doses of ENT-03 across seven cohorts. No serious safety issues were reported, and the drug appeared well tolerated at all levels. Secondary outcomes included changes in fasting glucose, insulin levels, lipid profiles, and body weight.
“This first-in-human study confirms our preclinical findings and supports continued development of ENT-03,” said Dr. Richard Larson, CEO and CMO of Metabolics Pharma. “We’re preparing for a Phase 1b trial to explore optimal dosing, which we expect to begin later this year.”
Metabolics plans to assess ENT-03 not only as a standalone therapy but also in combination with existing GLP-1 agonists, which are already widely used for managing type 2 diabetes and obesity.
