Altimmune adds 48-week IMPACT data for pemvidutide in MASH
CURRENT BRIEF VERSION: Altimmune reported new 48-week Phase 2b IMPACT data for pemvidutide in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, or MASH, at EASL 2026 in Barcelona. The company said the investigational glucagon/GLP-1 dual receptor agonist improved several cardiometabolic measures, including triglycerides, total cholesterol, weight, BMI, waist circumference, and blood pressure, in addition to previously reported improvements in liver-related non-invasive markers. At the 1.8 mg dose, Altimmune highlighted reductions of 23.7% in triglycerides, 15.4% in total cholesterol, 3 kg/m² in BMI, 5.3 cm in waist circumference, and 4/2.2 mmHg in systolic/diastolic blood pressure, along with sustained 7.5% weight loss with no plateau observed. In a separate EASL analysis, Altimmune also highlighted concurrent gains across liver fat, ALT, liver stiffness, and ELF, plus qFibrosis-measured fibrosis regression at 24 weeks. The IMPACT trial enrolled 212 adults with biopsy-confirmed MASH and F2-F3 fibrosis, randomized to weekly pemvidutide 1.2 mg, 1.8 mg, or placebo, including patients with and without diabetes. (globenewswire.com)
Why it matters: For veterinary professionals tracking translational medicine and the broader hepatology pipeline, the update adds to evidence that pemvidutide may offer both liver and metabolic benefits in a disease where cardiovascular risk is a major clinical issue. Altimmune has already received FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation for pemvidutide in MASH and says it aligned with FDA on a registrational Phase 3 program after its end-of-phase 2 meeting, suggesting the asset is moving into a more consequential development stage. Beyond MASH, the company is also studying pemvidutide in Phase 2 for alcohol use disorder and alcohol-associated liver disease, which broadens the translational liver-metabolic story around the drug. (ir.altimmune.com)
What to watch: Altimmune says it plans to start the PERFORMA Phase 3 MASH trial in the second half of 2026. The company also expects topline data in Q3 2026 from the Phase 2 RECLAIM trial in alcohol use disorder and anticipates completing enrollment in the Phase 2 RESTORE trial in alcohol-associated liver disease in Q3 2026. (globenewswire.com)