China-based Harbour BioMed has released preclinical data for LET003, the first candidate from its Hu-mAtrIx AI platform. The antibody targets the activin receptors ACVR2A/2B and is designed to be combined with GLP-1 agonists like semaglutide for obesity treatment. Preclinical studies in mice showed that LET003, when combined with semaglutide, enhanced fat loss by 34.7% and increased lean mass by 5.7% compared to semaglutide alone. The drug also demonstrated a favourable pharmacokinetic profile with a slower clearance rate than competitor molecules.

In separate studies, a lower 5 mg/kg dose of LET003 achieved a similar increase in lean mass as a 15 mg/kg dose of the reference ACVR2A/2B antibody, Novartis/Eli Lilly's bimagrumab. The data suggest LET003 has potential as a best-in-class therapy to preserve muscle while enhancing the fat-reducing effects of GLP-1 drugs. Harbour plans to advance the candidate into clinical development.

PharmCube's NextBiopharm® database shows that, despite its best-in-class potential, LET003 is lagging behind a number of clinical-stage candidates in terms of development. Click here to request a free trial for NextBiopharm®.