Skye Bioscience Highlights Attributes of its Peripherally-restricted CB1 Inhibitor Antibody at Keystone Obesity Conference
Rhea-AI Summary
Skye Bioscience (Nasdaq: SKYE) presented preclinical data on nimacimab, a peripherally-restricted CB1-inhibitor antibody, at the Keystone Obesity conference on January 29, 2026. Key DIO mouse-model findings: nimacimab added to tirzepatide produced 39% and 46% weight loss, effects were durable after discontinuation, rebound was blunted by ~80%, and weight loss was not driven primarily by caloric restriction. Nimacimab also enhanced semaglutide-induced weight loss, suggesting potential as a maintenance or combination therapy to support efficacy with lower incretin doses.
Positive
- Additive weight loss of 39% with nimacimab plus suboptimal tirzepatide dose
- Additive weight loss of 46% with nimacimab plus clinically active tirzepatide dose
- Weight-loss effect was durable after treatment discontinuation
- Weight rebound after tirzepatide was blunted by ~80% when followed by nimacimab
- Nimacimab enhanced weight loss induced by semaglutide
Negative
- None.
News Market Reaction
On the day this news was published, SKYE declined 4.95%, reflecting a moderate negative market reaction. Our momentum scanner triggered 4 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 $32M at that time.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
SKYE fell 5.61% while momentum data show only CRDF appearing, up 4.94%. Broader biotech peers listed are generally down, but scanner activity does not indicate a coordinated sector move.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 21 | Conference poster notice | Positive | +0.8% | Announcement of upcoming Keystone obesity poster on nimacimab DIO models. |
| Jan 12 | Corporate outlook | Positive | -4.0% | 2026 outlook with Phase 2a/2b plans and multiple nimacimab milestones. |
| Jan 05 | Collaboration deal | Positive | -2.3% | Global collaboration with Halozyme to co-formulate nimacimab using ENHANZE. |
| Nov 24 | Investor conferences | Neutral | +11.6% | December 2025 investor conferences and fireside chats to engage shareholders. |
| Nov 10 | Earnings and trial data | Positive | -7.2% | Q3 2025 results plus positive nimacimab+semaglutide Phase 2a combo data. |
Nimacimab- and obesity-focused updates have often been followed by mixed or negative price reactions, with several positive or neutral announcements seeing declines.
Over the last few months, SKYE issued multiple updates centered on nimacimab and obesity. A Nov 10, 2025 Q3 release highlighted favorable Phase 2a combo data and funding into 2027, yet the stock fell. A Dec 2025 collaboration with Halozyme and a Jan 12, 2026 corporate outlook outlining key 2026 milestones also saw negative reactions. By Jan 21, 2026, news of this Keystone obesity poster was met with only a modest gain, framing today’s detailed preclinical data against a backdrop of cautious trading.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement details preclinical obesity data for nimacimab, showing substantial weight-loss effects of 39% and 46% when combined with tirzepatide and improved weight rebound control. These findings build on prior nimacimab-focused communications emphasizing combination strategies with incretin-based therapies. Investors may watch how these mouse data connect to ongoing and planned clinical studies, as well as future updates on durability, maintenance use after discontinuation, and safety at more tolerable incretin doses.
Key Terms
cb1-inhibitor antibody medical
diet-induced obesity (dio) mouse model medical
incretin agonists medical
tirzepatide medical
semaglutide medical
caloric restriction medical
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
SAN DIEGO, Jan. 29, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Skye Bioscience, Inc. (Nasdaq: SKYE) (“Skye”) a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on unlocking new therapeutic pathways for obesity and other metabolic health disorders, today presented a poster titled "Investigating the Efficacy of Nimacimab Alone or in Combination with Tirzepatide, and as a Maintenance Therapy Post Tirzepatide Discontinuation in a Diet-Induced Obesity (DIO) Mouse Model" at Keystone’s conference, Obesity Therapeutics: Unlocking Benefits and Minimizing Side Effects.
Skye’s presentation addressed the following questions regarding the ability of its peripherally-restricted CB1-inhibitor antibody:
- Can nimacimab enhance optimal and suboptimal doses of incretin agonists?
- How durable is nimacimab’s effect on weight loss after treatment discontinuation?
- Can nimacimab be used as a maintenance therapy after tirzepatide discontinuation?
- Is caloric-restriction the primary mechanism of nimacimab-driven weight loss?
Key takeaways from the DIO studies:
- Nimacimab showed significant additive weight loss effects when combined with suboptimal or clinically active dose levels of tirzepatide (
39% and46% weight loss respectively). - Nimacimab weight loss was durable after treatment discontinuation.
- Nimacimab treatment after tirzepatide discontinuation improved the weight rebound profile (regain blunted by ~
80% ). - Nimacimab weight loss was not primarily driven by caloric restriction.
- Nimacimab enhanced weight loss induced by semaglutide.
Chris Twitty, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer of Skye, who presented the poster, commented: “These findings suggest that nimacimab, when combined with lower and more tolerable incretin agonist doses, may achieve a favorable safety profile while still driving meaningful efficacy. This approach may help support longer treatment adherence and provide a more sustainable option for long-term weight management.”
Click here to see the poster.
About Nimacimab
Nimacimab is a potential first-in-class, peripherally-restricted monoclonal antibody inhibitor of the CB1 receptor. Unlike previous CB1-targeting drugs, nimacimab is designed to avoid central nervous system penetration, potentially limiting neuropsychiatric side effects seen with small-molecule antagonists. As a non-incretin, non-peptide agent, nimacimab acts independently of the GLP-1 pathway and has also demonstrated additive or complementary effects in combination with incretin-based therapies in preclinical and clinical studies.
Skye Bioscience
Skye is focused on unlocking new therapeutic pathways for metabolic health through the development of next-generation molecules that modulate G-protein coupled receptors. Skye's strategy leverages biologic targets with substantial human proof of mechanism for the development of first-in-class therapeutics with clinical and commercial differentiation. Skye is conducting a Phase 2a clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT06577090) in obesity for nimacimab, a negative allosteric modulating antibody that peripherally inhibits CB1. This study is also assessing the combination of nimacimab and a GLP-1R agonist (Wegovy®). For more information, please visit: www.skyebioscience.com. Connect with us on X and LinkedIn.
CONTACTS
Investor Relations
ir@skyebioscience.com
(858) 410-0266
LifeSci Advisors, Mike Moyer
mmoyer@lifesciadvisors.com
(617) 308-4306
Media Inquiries
LifeSci Communications, Michael Fitzhugh
mfitzhugh@lifescicomms.com
(628) 234-3889
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements contained in this press release other than statements of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements relating to: Skye's future plans and prospects, any expectations regarding the efficacy and therapeutic potential of nimacimab, including based on DIO models. When used herein, words including “anticipate,” “believe,” “can,” “continue,” “could,” “designed,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “goal,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “planning,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, though not all forward-looking statements use these words or expressions. All forward-looking statements are based upon the Company’s current expectations and various assumptions. The Company believes there is a reasonable basis for its expectations and beliefs, but they are inherently uncertain. The Company may not realize its expectations, and its beliefs may not prove correct. Actual results could differ materially from those described or implied by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, the initiation and design of any future clinical trials will be impacted by the Company’s capital resources, the Company’s ability to obtain additional sources of capital needed to run an additional Phase 2 clinical trial, program considerations and potentially other factors outside the Company’s control; the Company’s dependence on third parties in connection with product manufacturing; research and preclinical and clinical testing; the Company’s ability to advance, obtain regulatory approval of and ultimately commercialize nimacimab, competitive products or approaches limiting the commercial value of nimacimab; the timing and results of preclinical and clinical trials; the Company’s ability to fund development activities and achieve development goals; the impact of any global pandemics, inflation, supply chain issues, government shutdowns, high interest rates, adverse regulatory changes; the Company’s ability to protect its intellectual property; risks associated with the Company’s common stock and the other important factors discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, which are accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and the Investors section of the Company’s website. Any such forward-looking statements represent management’s estimates as of the date of this press release. While the Company may elect to update such forward-looking statements at some point in the future, except as required by law, it disclaims any obligation to do so, even if subsequent events cause the Company’s views to change. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company’s views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.
FAQ
What did Skye report at the January 29, 2026 Keystone Obesity conference about nimacimab (SKYE)?
How did nimacimab perform with suboptimal versus clinically active tirzepatide doses in the SKYE presentation?
Can nimacimab be used as a maintenance therapy after tirzepatide discontinuation for SKYE?
Was nimacimab-driven weight loss primarily due to reduced calorie intake in Skye’s DIO studies?
Did Skye report nimacimab interactions with other incretin therapies like semaglutide at Keystone 2026?
