MetaVia Builds Comprehensive Global Patent Protection for DA-1726, Securing Exclusive Rights to Novel Obesity and Metabolic Therapy Through 2041
Rhea-AI Summary
MetaVia (Nasdaq: MTVA) announced a global intellectual property portfolio of 39 granted and pending patents for lead asset DA-1726, a long-acting dual GLP-1/glucagon oxyntomodulin analog, providing protection into 2041 unless extended.
MetaVia highlighted clinical results at 48 mg showing ~9% weight loss, waist and blood sugar improvements, early liver benefit, a favorable safety profile, and planned 16-week titration studies to 48 mg and 64 mg with results expected in Q4 2026.
Positive
- 39 patents granted/pending providing protection into 2041
- ~9% weight loss observed at 48 mg dose
- Planned 16-week titration studies to 48 mg and 64 mg (results Q4 2026)
Negative
- None.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
Momentum data flag only one peer (NBY) moving up, while several close peers like LPCN, PRTG, and THAR show negative moves and PULM is modestly positive. No broad biotech/cardiometabolic sector shift appears to align with MTVA’s news.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 04 | AI modeling update | Positive | -2.1% | Positive AI‑modeling results for vanoglipel target pathways and indications. |
| Jan 16 | Equity offering | Negative | -3.5% | Completed $9.3M underwritten public offering with attached warrants for DA‑1726 funding. |
| Jan 05 | Phase 1b results | Positive | -8.7% | Positive Phase 1b DA‑1726 data with strong weight, liver, and glycemic effects. |
| Dec 29 | Conference participation | Neutral | -2.1% | Announcement of sponsorship and participation in the 10th Annual MASH‑TAG 2026 conference. |
| Dec 22 | Nasdaq compliance | Positive | +11.6% | Regained compliance with Nasdaq minimum bid price and related listing matter closed. |
Recent history shows multiple positive clinical and AI updates followed by negative next-day moves, while regulatory/listing improvements produced the strongest positive reaction. Financing news has also coincided with downside pressure.
Over the past few months, MetaVia has reported several clinically and strategically important updates. Positive Phase 1b data for DA-1726 on Jan 5, 2026 and favorable AI‑modeling results for vanoglipel on Feb 4, 2026 both saw negative price reactions within 24 hours. A $9.3M underwritten public offering closed on Jan 16, 2026 and likewise drew selling. In contrast, regaining Nasdaq minimum bid price compliance on Dec 22, 2025 coincided with a strong +11.6% move. Today’s IP strengthening around DA‑1726 fits the pattern of fundamentally positive cardiometabolic developments against a weak trading backdrop.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement highlights MetaVia’s effort to secure long‑dated protection for DA‑1726, with 39 granted and pending patents providing coverage into 2041 and reinforcing its positioning in obesity and metabolic disease. Management also underscored about 9% weight loss, cardiometabolic improvements at 48 mg, and planned 16‑week titration studies to 48 mg and 64 mg with results expected in Q4 2026. Against a share price near the 52‑week low, investors may watch future trial data, funding developments, and Nasdaq compliance as key milestones.
Key Terms
oxyntomodulin medical
titration medical
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Intellectual Property Portfolio Includes 39 Granted and Pending Patents in the
MetaVia's patent portfolio, exclusively licensed from Dong-A ST Co., Ltd., provides broad protection covering the novel peptide structure of DA-1726 as well as its design as a long-acting dual-incretin therapy. Together, these protect both the core molecule and its therapeutic use in obesity, metabolic disease, and associated cardiometabolic conditions, strengthening the company's long-term development and commercialization position in one of the fastest-growing areas of medicine.
"Building a strong and durable patent foundation is essential as we advance DA-1726 as a potential best-in-class therapy for obesity and metabolic disease," stated Hyung Heon Kim, President and Chief Executive Officer of MetaVia. "Our intellectual property estate protects the unique design of this dual GLP-1/glucagon agonist and supports the long-term value of the program. As importantly, our recent clinical data reinforce the promise of DA-1726. At the 48 mg dose, we saw meaningful weight loss of about
Mr. Kim continued, "Looking ahead, our planned 16-week titration studies to 48 mg and 64 mg reflect our confidence in the therapy's tolerability and its potential to offer an advantage over the slower dose-escalation schedules required by current GLP-1 treatments. With results expected in the fourth quarter of 2026, we believe we are well positioned to unlock additional value as we advance DA-1726 into later-stage development."
About DA-1726
DA-1726 is a novel oxyntomodulin (OXM) analogue functioning as a GLP1R/GCGR dual agonist for the treatment of obesity and Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH) that is to be administered once weekly subcutaneously. DA-1726 acts as a dual agonist of GLP-1 receptors (GLP1R) and glucagon receptors (GCGR), leading to weight loss through reduced appetite and increased energy expenditure. DA-1726 has a well understood mechanism and, in pre-clinical mice models, resulted in improved weight loss compared to semaglutide (Wegovy®). Additionally, in pre-clinical mouse models, DA-1726 elicited similar weight reduction, while consuming more food, compared to tirzepatide (Zepbound®) and survodutide (a drug with the same MOA), while also preserving lean body mass and demonstrating improved lipid-lowering effects compared to survodutide. In the Phase 1 multiple ascending dose (MAD) trial in obesity, the 32 mg dose of DA-1726 demonstrated best-in-class potential for weight loss, glucose control, and waist circumference reduction.
About MetaVia
MetaVia Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on transforming cardiometabolic diseases. The company is currently developing DA-1726 for the treatment of obesity, and is developing vanoglipel (DA-1241) for the treatment of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH). DA-1726 is a novel oxyntomodulin (OXM) analogue that functions as a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP1R) and glucagon receptor (GCGR) dual agonist. OXM is a naturally-occurring gut hormone that activates GLP1R and GCGR, thereby decreasing food intake while increasing energy expenditure, thus potentially resulting in superior body weight loss compared to selective GLP1R agonists. In a Phase 1 multiple ascending dose (MAD) trial in obesity, DA-1726 demonstrated best-in-class potential for weight loss, glucose control, and waist reduction. Vanoglipel is a novel G-protein-coupled receptor 119 (GPR119) agonist that promotes the release of key gut peptides GLP-1, GIP, and PYY. In pre-clinical studies, vanoglipel demonstrated a positive effect on liver inflammation, lipid metabolism, weight loss, and glucose metabolism, reducing hepatic steatosis, hepatic inflammation, and liver fibrosis, while also improving glucose control. In a Phase 2a clinical study, vanoglipel demonstrated direct hepatic action in addition to its glucose lowering effects.
For more information, please visit www.metaviatx.com.
Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "believes", "expects", "anticipates", "may", "will", "should", "seeks", "approximately", "potential", "intends", "projects", "plans", "estimates" or the negative of these words or other comparable terminology (as well as other words or expressions referencing future events, conditions or circumstances) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including, without limitation, those risks associated with MetaVia's ability to execute on its commercial strategy; our expectations regarding the sufficiency of our existing cash on hand to fund our operations; the timeline for regulatory submissions; the ability to obtain regulatory approval through the development steps of MetaVia's current and future product candidates; the ability to realize the benefits of the license agreement with Dong-A ST Co. Ltd., including the impact on future financial and operating results of MetaVia; the cooperation of MetaVia's contract manufacturers, clinical study partners and others involved in the development of MetaVia's current and future product candidates; potential negative interactions between MetaVia's product candidates and any other products with which they are combined for treatment; MetaVia's ability to initiate and complete clinical trials on a timely basis; MetaVia's ability to recruit subjects for its clinical trials; whether MetaVia receives results from MetaVia's clinical trials that are consistent with the results of pre-clinical and previous clinical trials; impact of costs related to the license agreement, known and unknown, including costs of any litigation or regulatory actions relating to the license agreement; the effects of changes in applicable laws or regulations; the effects of changes to MetaVia's stock price on the terms of the license agreement and any future fundraising; and other risks and uncertainties described in MetaVia's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including MetaVia's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date when made. MetaVia does not assume any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
Certain statements in this press release may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "believes", "expects", "anticipates", "may", "will", "should", "seeks", "approximately", "potential", "intends", "projects", "plans", "estimates" or the negative of these words or other comparable terminology (as well as other words or expressions referencing future events, conditions or circumstances) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including, without limitation, those risks associated with MetaVia's ability to execute on its commercial strategy; our expectations regarding the sufficiency of our existing cash on hand to fund our operations; the timeline for regulatory submissions; the ability to obtain regulatory approval through the development steps of MetaVia's current and future product candidates; the ability to realize the benefits of the license agreement with Dong-A ST Co. Ltd., including the impact on future financial and operating results of MetaVia; the cooperation of MetaVia's contract manufacturers, clinical study partners and others involved in the development of MetaVia's current and future product candidates; potential negative interactions between MetaVia's product candidates and any other products with which they are combined for treatment; MetaVia's ability to initiate and complete clinical trials on a timely basis; MetaVia's ability to recruit subjects for its clinical trials; whether MetaVia receives results from MetaVia's clinical trials that are consistent with the results of pre-clinical and previous clinical trials; impact of costs related to the license agreement, known and unknown, including costs of any litigation or regulatory actions relating to the license agreement; the effects of changes in applicable laws or regulations; the effects of changes to MetaVia's stock price on the terms of the license agreement and any future fundraising; and other risks and uncertainties described in MetaVia's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including MetaVia's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date when made. MetaVia does not assume any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
Contacts:
MetaVia
Marshall H. Woodworth
Chief Financial Officer
+1-857-299-1033
marshall.woodworth@metaviatx.com
Rx Communications Group
Michael Miller
+1-917-633-6086
mmiller@rxir.com
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SOURCE MetaVia Inc.
FAQ
What patent protection did MetaVia announce for DA-1726 (MTVA) on February 13, 2026?
How effective was DA-1726 in recent clinical data reported by MetaVia (MTVA)?
When does MetaVia expect results from the planned titration studies for DA-1726 (MTVA)?
What aspects of DA-1726 does MetaVia's patent estate protect for MTVA investors?
Does MetaVia describe DA-1726's safety profile in its February 13, 2026 announcement (MTVA)?
How might the DA-1726 patent timeline affect MetaVia's (MTVA) development horizon?
