iBio Inc (NASDAQ:IBIO) shares jumped 50% following the announcement of preclinical results showing its engineered amylin receptor agonist antibody reduced acute food intake by 60% in a mouse model of obesity.
The AI-driven biotech company revealed that its partnership with AstralBio has produced multiple novel engineered antibody agonists targeting the amylin receptor, a heterodimeric G protein-coupled receptor. Unlike dual agonists targeting both amylin and calcitonin receptors, iBio’s approach focuses on selective activation of the amylin receptor, aiming to achieve efficacy comparable to DACRAs with better tolerability.
iBio’s technology enables precise targeting of the amylin receptor and its subtypes, positioning the firm to compete in the rapidly expanding obesity treatment market. The amylin hormone naturally regulates satiety and slows gastric emptying, making its receptor a promising target for therapies addressing obesity and cardiometabolic diseases.
The company noted that other amylin analogs in clinical development have demonstrated body weight reductions of up to 22.7% when combined with semaglutide and 11.8% as standalone treatments. iBio’s approach aims to activate different signaling pathways, potentially boosting weight-loss effects when used with GLP-1 receptor agonists or providing an alternative for patients who respond poorly to GLP-1 therapies.
Leveraging its proprietary Drug Discovery Platform and advanced AI capabilities, iBio is developing highly selective and potent antibodies, targeting molecules that could become best-in-class therapeutics for weight management with optimal tolerability and preservation of lean mass.