Response’s RDX-002 shows promise for keeping weight off after GLP-1 drugs

Response Pharmaceuticals' RDX-002 hit its phase 2 trial goals, reducing post-meal blood-fat levels and limiting weight regain in patients who stopped GLP-1 obesity drugs like Zepbound or Wegovy.

Why it matters: Many patients regain weight after stopping GLP-1 drugs. RDX-002 could fill a key gap by helping maintain weight loss, a major challenge in obesity care.

Backstory:

• RDX-002, an oral iMTP inhibitor initially developed by Sanofi, targets triglyceride transfer.

• The drug was initially studied for weight gain tied to antipsychotic use. The drug’s mechanism mirrors that of Juxtapid, a previously approved lipid-lowering MTP inhibitor.

The trial:

• The phase 2 trial included 68 people who had lost significant weight on GLP-1s and then discontinued them.

• RDX-002 met both primary (blood-fat reduction) and secondary (weight regain) endpoints.

• No serious side effects were reported; gastrointestinal symptoms were mild and resolved early.

Big picture: With GLP-1 use soaring, there's growing demand for follow-up treatments that sustain results. RDX-002 may offer a complementary strategy or be used alongside GLP-1s for long-term obesity management.