MetaVia Reports Positive Statistically Significant Results from Its Phase 1b Clinical Trial of DA-1726 In Metabolic Disease - Demonstrating Strong Glycemic Response, Significant Direct Hepatic Effects, Robust Weight Loss and Favorable Safety Profile
Rhea-AI Summary
MetaVia (Nasdaq: MTVA) reported positive Phase 1b results for DA-1726 from an 8-week non-titrated 48 mg cohort, showing early and statistically significant metabolic effects by Day 54.
Key results: weight -9.1% (21.2 lbs), waist -9.8 cm (p=0.022), fasted glucose -12.3 mg/dL, and liver stiffness -23.7% (VCTE); no treatment-related discontinuations and mainly mild-to-moderate GI events. The company plans 16-week titration studies with results expected in Q4 2026.
Positive
- Weight -9.1% (21.2 lbs) by Day 54
- Waist circumference -9.8 cm by Day 54 (p=0.022)
- Fasted glucose -12.3 mg/dL by Day 54
- Liver stiffness -23.7% by Day 54 (VCTE)
- No treatment-related discontinuations; tolerability favorable
Negative
- Small cohort size: 9 subjects per cohort (6:3 randomization)
- Data limited to an 8-week non-titrated cohort; longer-term effects unknown
News Market Reaction – MTVA
On the day this news was published, MTVA declined 8.68%, reflecting a notable negative market reaction. Argus tracked a trough of -10.5% from its starting point during tracking. Our momentum scanner triggered 8 alerts that day, indicating moderate trading interest and price volatility. This price movement removed approximately $2M from the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $21M at that time.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
Peer performance was mixed: LPCN appeared in momentum down ~5%, while other biotech peers in the list showed a range of small gains and losses, suggesting MTVA’s move was more stock-specific than sector-driven.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 29 | Conference participation | Neutral | -2.1% | Highlighted upcoming MASH-TAG 2026 presence without new financial or clinical data. |
| Dec 22 | Listing compliance | Positive | +11.6% | Regained compliance with Nasdaq minimum bid price and closed related listing matter. |
| Dec 02 | Reverse stock split | Negative | -20.1% | 1-for-11 reverse split to address listing requirements and reduce outstanding shares. |
| Nov 07 | Clinical data update | Positive | +6.8% | Positive Phase 2a vanoglipel data in presumed MASH with HbA1c and liver benefits. |
| Nov 06 | Earnings and pipeline | Negative | -15.0% | Q3 2025 results with going-concern language alongside DA-1726 and DA-1241 updates. |
Price has generally moved in the same direction as the perceived tone of past news, including sizeable reactions to capital structure and clinical updates.
Over the last six months, MetaVia has alternated between corporate housekeeping and pipeline milestones. A 1-for-11 reverse split and ongoing Nasdaq compliance efforts framed balance-sheet and listing risk, while Q3 2025 results highlighted constrained cash of $14.3M and a going-concern warning. In parallel, repeated positive updates on DA-1726 and vanoglipel, including Phase 1 and Phase 2a efficacy signals, supported the cardiometabolic strategy. Today’s Phase 1b DA-1726 data extend those earlier weight-loss and metabolic benefits over 8 weeks, building directly on prior shorter-duration MAD cohorts.
Market Pulse Summary
The stock moved -8.7% in the session following this news. A negative reaction despite favorable Phase 1b efficacy and safety data would fit a pattern where structural and financing concerns occasionally outweighed clinical progress. MetaVia previously flagged substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern and put an at-the-market program in place, which can sensitize investors to dilution and funding risk even when trial results are statistically significant and directionally positive.
Key Terms
oxyntomodulin medical
glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor medical
glucagon receptor medical
vibration-controlled transient elastography medical
hba1c medical
body mass index medical
pharmacokinetics medical
pharmacodynamics medical
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Statistically Significant (p=0.006) Waist Circumference Reduction of 9.8 cm at Day 54
Significant Direct Hepatic Activity with a
Strong Glycemic Response with a 12.3 mg/dL Fasted Glucose Reduction by Day 54
Robust Weight Loss with
In the non-titrated 48 mg cohort, patients experienced no treatment-related discontinuations, and gastrointestinal events were mild to moderate in severity. By Day 26, patients receiving DA-1726 achieved a statistically significant average weight reduction of
"Extending DA-1726 administration to a full eight weeks at the non-titrated 48 mg dose has provided us with extremely encouraging insights," said Hyung Heon Kim, president and chief executive officer of MetaVia. "Patients in this cohort achieved a statistically significant
"We also observed meaningful metabolic improvements, including a 12.3 mg/dL reduction in fasted glucose and early HbA1c benefits, such as a drop from
Mr. Kim added, "Looking ahead, our planned 16-week titration studies—to 48 mg in a single step and to 64 mg using a two-step regimen—reflect our confidence in DA-1726's tolerability and our expectation that it will compare favorably to the slower, more restrictive titration schedules required by today's GLP-1 drugs. We believe this represents a key competitive advantage. With results expected in the fourth quarter of 2026, we are well positioned to unlock further value creation as we continue advancing DA-1726 toward later-stage development."
The Phase 1 trial was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, PK, and pharmacodynamics (PD) of single and multiple ascending doses of DA-1726 in obese but otherwise healthy adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30–45 kg/m². Nine subjects in each cohort were randomized in a 6:3 ratio, with each subject receiving either 4 weekly administrations of DA-1726 or placebo. The extended dosing cohort added 4 weekly administrations of DA-1726 or placebo for a total of 8 weeks of exposure. The primary objective was to assess safety and tolerability based on adverse events (AEs), serious adverse events (SAEs), treatment-emergent events (TAEs), and discontinuations. Secondary endpoints included the PK of DA-1726, assessed via serum concentrations over time and metabolite profiling at the highest doses of DA-1726. Exploratory endpoints included the effect of DA-1726 on metabolic parameters, cardiac parameters, fasting lipid levels, body weight, waist circumference and body mass index (BMI), among others.
For more information on this clinical trial, please visit: www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT06252220.
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, which include, among other statements, statements regarding the timing and release of data related to the company's planned 16-week titration studies. 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; MetaVia's expectations regarding the sufficiency of its existing cash on hand to fund MetaVia's 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 and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. 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 Phase 1b results did MetaVia (MTVA) announce for DA-1726 on January 5, 2026?
How significant was the waist circumference change for MTVA's DA-1726 and when was it measured?
What safety and tolerability did MetaVia report for DA-1726 in the 48 mg cohort?
Did DA-1726 show any liver-related benefits in MetaVia's Phase 1b data?
What are MetaVia's next clinical plans and timing for DA-1726 (MTVA)?
How large were the cohorts in MetaVia's Phase 1 trial for DA-1726?
