US biopharmaceutical company Neurocrine Biosciences Inc (Nasdaq:NBIX) announced on Friday the initiation of a Phase 1 first-in-human clinical study evaluating the safety and tolerability of NBIP-'1968, an investigational GLP-1/GIP/glucagon receptor triple agonist being developed as a therapy for obesity.

The Phase 1 study will initially evaluate the safety and tolerability of single ascending doses of NBIP-'1968 in adult participants across a range of body mass index categories, including overweight and obese.

NBIP-'1968 is an internally discovered, investigational long-acting triple agonist designed for once-weekly subcutaneous administration. It targets the receptors for glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon to influence metabolic pathways involved in appetite regulation, energy balance and glycaemic control. NBIP-'1968 was designed with balanced glucagon receptor activity to optimise the potential metabolic benefits of glucagon receptor activation while supporting tolerability, Neurocrine said.

Neurocrine is developing NBIP-'1968 as part of a broader obesity portfolio that includes NBIP-'2118, an investigational corticotropin-releasing factor type 2 receptor agonist currently in Phase 1 development. NBIP-'1968 is intended for use in a fixed-dose combination with NBIP-'2118. The company's obesity research also includes earlier-stage programmes designed to explore complementary mechanisms and extended dosing intervals.