Eton Pharmaceuticals Announces Preliminary ET-700 Pilot Study Results Evaluating Copper Absorption Inhibition and Gastrointestinal Tolerability
Eton plans to test whether faster-release formulations can improve copper-uptake inhibition while preserving gastrointestinal tolerability.
Sentiment and the balance of points
Rhea-AI Sentiment reads the wording of the document, how positive or negative its language is on a 1 to 5 scale. The balance of points shown with the takes weighs what the document actually discloses, so the two can disagree, for example when a trial that missed its main goal is described in upbeat language.
Rhea-AI Summary
Eton Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: ETON) reported preliminary ET-700 pilot results showing fewer treatment-related adverse events but less copper-uptake inhibition than GALZIN. The four-week randomized study tested the investigational extended-release zinc acetate in healthy volunteers. Treatment-related adverse events affected 1 of 12 ET-700 participants versus 8 of 12 receiving GALZIN and 3 of 12 receiving placebo; no serious adverse events occurred.
In the primary analysis of 29 participants meeting protocol criteria, hepatic copper uptake decreased 12% with ET-700 and 46% with GALZIN, versus an 11% increase with placebo. The supportive 35-participant analysis showed reductions of 18% and 58%, respectively, versus an 11% placebo increase; GALZIN had a greater effect (p=0.023). These preliminary findings do not establish efficacy in Wilson disease patients or long-term comparative safety. Eton plans additional study arms testing faster-release formulations in 2027.
Positive
- Minor pointTreatment-related adverse events affected 1/12 ET-700 participants versus 8/12 on GALZIN and 3/12 on placebo.
- Minor pointTreatment-related event totals were 1 with ET-700, versus 17 with GALZIN and 3 with placebo.
- Minor pointGastrointestinal side-effect rates were 0.30 per 100 participant-days with ET-700, versus 5.35 with GALZIN and 0.89 with placebo.
- Minor pointAny adverse event affected 17% with ET-700, versus 75% with GALZIN and 58% with placebo.
- Minor pointNo serious adverse events occurred in any treatment group during the four-week study.
- Minor point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.Eton plans additional study arms in 2027 to evaluate faster-release formulations.
Negative
- Minor pointPrimary-analysis copper uptake fell 12% with ET-700 versus 46% with GALZIN; placebo uptake increased 11%.
- Minor pointSupportive-analysis uptake fell 18% with ET-700 versus 58% with GALZIN (p=0.023); placebo uptake increased 11%.
- Minor pointEvidence remains preliminary, from a small, four-week healthy-volunteer study, without established patient efficacy or long-term comparative safety.
Details
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Key Figures
- Treatment-related adverse events
- 1 of 12 ET-700 participants vs 8 of 12 GALZIN participants
- Participants with at least one treatment-related adverse event over four weeks
- Hepatic copper uptake
- 12% decrease with ET-700 vs 46% decrease with GALZIN; 11% increase with placebo
- Primary analysis; median individual post-treatment-to-baseline ratios in 29 per-protocol participants
- Hepatic copper uptake
- 18% decrease with ET-700 vs 58% decrease with GALZIN; 11% increase with placebo
- Supportive intention-to-treat analysis of 35 participants
- Between-treatment comparison
- p=0.023
- GALZIN demonstrated a greater effect on copper uptake than ET-700
- Gastrointestinal side-effect rate
- 0.30 vs 5.35 vs 0.89 per 100 participant-days
- ET-700, GALZIN, and placebo, respectively
- Serious adverse events
- 0
- Safety population; 36 healthy participants across three groups
- Additional study arms
- 2027
- Eton intends to evaluate faster-release formulations
Key Terms
intention-to-treat medical
per-protocol medical
pet/ct technical
primary endpoint medical
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
- Treatment-related adverse events occurred in 1 of 12 ET-700 participants compared with 8 of 12 GALZIN® participants
- Hepatic copper uptake decreased
12% with ET-700, compared with a46% decrease with GALZIN, and an11% increase with placebo - Company plans additional study arms in 2027 evaluating faster-release formulations to seek to improve copper absorption inhibition while preserving favorable safety profile
DEER PARK, Ill., Nov. 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Eton Pharmaceuticals, Inc (“Eton” or “the Company”) (Nasdaq: ETON), an innovative pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing treatments for rare diseases, today announced preliminary results from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study evaluating ET-700, its investigational extended-release zinc acetate formulation being developed to treat Wilson disease.
ET-700 demonstrated a lower rate of drug related adverse events than GALZIN, with participants who received ET-700 reporting a single gastrointestinal-related adverse event. In comparison, 8 out of 12 participants receiving GALZIN reported 17 adverse events. Participants who received placebo reported 3 treatment related adverse events in 3 of the 12 participants. No serious adverse events were reported in the study. The estimated rate of treatment related gastrointestinal side effects was 0.30 per 100 participant-days for ET-700, compared with 5.35 for GALZIN and 0.89 for the placebo.
“The tolerability findings are exciting and reinforce our belief that a slower release zinc can improve tolerability, which is a notorious issue with zinc treatment,” said Sean Brynjelsen, Chief Executive Officer of Eton Pharmaceuticals. “We are encouraged by the initial results, which showed a benefit over placebo, and our next objective is to improve ET-700’s effect on copper absorption. We believe faster release formulations, which we’ve previously developed, can improve efficacy while preserving an attractive safety profile and we intend to test that hypothesis through additional study arms in the coming months. Our goal is to combine effective copper control, favorable tolerability, and twice-daily dosing.”
“Gastrointestinal side effects are a well-known problem with zinc therapy in Wilson disease, so the clear difference in tolerability with ET-700 is clinically relevant. Its effect on copper absorption was more modest than that of standard zinc acetate, but the study has taught us a great deal about how the release profile matters. With copper-64 PET/CT, we now have a precise way to test whether an adjusted formulation can combine better tolerability with effective copper blocking,” said Thomas Damgaard Sandahl, MD, PhD, Clinical Professor, Aarhus University and Aarhus University Hospital.
The study used copper-64 PET/CT imaging before and after treatment to assess hepatic copper uptake as a measure of intestinal copper absorption. The prespecified primary analysis included 29 participants who met per-protocol criteria.
Based on the median individual post-treatment-to-baseline uptake ratios, hepatic copper uptake decreased by
The supportive intention-to-treat analysis of 35 participants showed the same directional pattern, with reductions of
Tolerability Results
The safety population included 36 healthy participants, with 12 participants in each treatment group. Over four weeks:
| Safety measure | ET-700 | GALZIN | Placebo |
| Participants with at least one treatment-related adverse event | 1 ( | 8 ( | 3 ( |
| Total treatment-related adverse events | 1 | 17 | 3 |
| Participants with at least one adverse event, regardless of relatedness | 2 ( | 9 ( | 7 ( |
| Serious adverse events | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Planned Evaluation of Faster-Release Formulations
Eton believes the findings support further evaluation of ET-700’s release characteristics. The Company’s working hypothesis is that a faster release profile could increase zinc exposure in the upper intestine, where copper absorption predominantly occurs, and improve inhibition of copper uptake.
Eton is currently advancing additional formulations with faster-release formulations and intends to evaluate additional study arms in 2027. These evaluations will assess whether greater activity can be achieved while preserving the favorable gastrointestinal tolerability observed to date.
About the Study
The investigator-initiated study was sponsored and conducted by Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark, with funding and study medication provided by Eton Pharmaceuticals. Healthy participants were randomized to four weeks of GALZIN 50 mg three times daily, ET-700 75 mg twice daily plus a matching placebo dose, or placebo three times daily. Both active regimens provided 150 mg of elemental zinc daily.
Thirty-six participants contributed safety data, 35 completed both PET/CT scans, and 29 met per-protocol criteria. The primary endpoint was the post-treatment-to-baseline ratio of hepatic copper-64 uptake.
The findings are preliminary and reflect a small, four-week study in healthy volunteers. They do not establish clinical efficacy in patients with Wilson disease or long-term comparative safety.
Important Safety Information for GALZIN®
INDICATION
GALZIN® (zinc acetate) is indicated for maintenance treatment of patients with Wilson’s disease who have been initially treated with a chelating agent.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Contraindication
Hypersensitivity to zinc acetate or any of the ingredients in GALZIN.
Warnings and Precautions
Copper Deficiency: Several post-marketing cases reported that zinc acetate taken over extended periods of time may result in decreased enteral copper absorption and copper deficiency. If a patient develops signs and/or symptoms of copper deficiency, interrupt zinc treatment and measure zinc, 24-hr urinary copper, and non-ceruloplasmin bound copper (NCC) levels.
Gastric Ulcer: Gastric ulcers including complications of anemia and gastric ulcer perforation with peritonitis have been reported with long-term use of zinc acetate.
General: GALZIN is not recommended for the initial therapy of symptomatic patients because of the delay required for zinc-induced increase in enterocytic metallothionein and blockade of copper uptake. Symptomatic patients should be treated initially, using chelating agents. During initial therapy, neurological deterioration may occur as stores of copper are mobilized.
Information for Patients: GALZIN should be administered on an empty stomach, at least one hour before or two to three hours after meals. Capsules should be swallowed whole, not opened or chewed. Patients must be clinically monitored to determine the adequacy of zinc acetate therapy.
Monitoring Patients: Existing signs and symptoms of Wilson’s disease and 24-hour urine copper should be monitored. Neuropsychiatric evaluations including speech as well as liver function tests including bilirubin and aminotransferases, should be done as appropriate. In all treated patients,
24--hour urinary zinc levels may be a useful measure of compliance with the zinc acetate regimen.
Adverse Reactions
The most common adverse reactions are gastric irritation, elevations of serum alkaline phosphatase, amylase, and lipase suggesting pancreatitis.
To report a suspected adverse event related to GALZIN, contact Eton Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at 1-855- 224-0233 or the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at www.fda.gov/safety/Medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
About Eton Pharmaceuticals
Eton is an innovative pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing treatments for rare diseases. The Company currently has twelve rare disease products: KHINDIVI ®, INCRELEX®, ALKINDI SPRINKLE®, DESMODA™, GALZIN®, HEMANGEOL®, PKU GOLIKE®, IMPAVIDO®, LIBERVANT®, Carglumic Acid, Betaine Anhydrous, and Nitisinone. The Company has six additional product candidates in late-stage development: ASN-001, AMGLIDIA®, ET-700, ET-800, ET-900, and ZENEO® hydrocortisone autoinjector. For more information, please visit our website at www.etonpharma.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements associated with the expected ability of Eton to undertake certain activities and accomplish certain goals and objectives. These statements include but are not limited to statements regarding Eton’s business strategy, Eton’s plans to develop and commercialize its product candidates, the safety and efficacy of Eton’s product candidates, Eton’s plans and expected timing with respect to regulatory filings and approvals, and the size and growth potential of the markets for Eton’s product candidates. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Words such as “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “expects,” “intends,” “will,” “goal,” “potential” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon Eton’s current expectations and involve assumptions that may never materialize or may prove to be incorrect. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of various risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation, risks associated with the process of discovering, developing and commercializing drugs that are safe and effective for use as human therapeutics, and in the endeavor of building a business around such drugs. These and other risks concerning Eton’s development programs and financial position are described in additional detail in Eton’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Eton undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.
Investor Relations:
Lisa M. Wilson, In-Site Communications, Inc.
T: 212-452-2793
E: lwilson@insitecony.com
FAQ
AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
What did Eton's ET-700 pilot study show about copper absorption?
The primary analysis found hepatic copper uptake decreased 12% with ET-700 and 46% with GALZIN, compared with an 11% increase with placebo. This analysis included 29 participants meeting protocol criteria. Liver uptake measured using copper-64 imaging served as a measure of intestinal copper absorption.
How did ET-700 tolerability compare with GALZIN in Eton's pilot study?
Treatment-related adverse events occurred in 1 of 12 ET-700 participants, compared with 8 of 12 GALZIN participants and 3 of 12 placebo participants. There were no serious adverse events in any group. The study lasted four weeks and enrolled healthy volunteers.
What doses of ET-700 and GALZIN were tested in Eton's pilot study?
Participants received ET-700 75 mg twice daily plus a matching placebo dose, GALZIN 50 mg three times daily, or placebo three times daily. Both active regimens provided 150 mg of elemental zinc daily over four weeks.
Why is Eton planning faster-release ET-700 formulations?
Eton's working hypothesis is that faster release could increase zinc exposure in the upper intestine, where copper absorption predominantly occurs, and improve copper-uptake inhibition. Additional study arms planned for 2027 will assess whether greater activity can be achieved while preserving gastrointestinal tolerability.