Company Description
NeuroBo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: NRBO), now known as MetaVia Inc., is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on transforming cardiometabolic diseases. According to company disclosures, its development efforts center on two next-generation drug candidates: DA-1726, for the treatment of obesity, and DA-1241, for the treatment of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH). The company has described itself as a clinical-stage biotechnology business with a focus on cardiometabolic indications in multiple press releases and SEC filings.
NeuroBo/MetaVia operates in the pharmaceutical preparation manufacturing industry within the broader manufacturing sector. The company has reported that it is incorporated in Delaware and, in more recent SEC filings, identifies itself as MetaVia Inc. with its common stock registered under Commission File Number 001-37809. The historical NRBO ticker symbol represents the period when the company operated under the NeuroBo Pharmaceuticals name; more recent news indicates that the Nasdaq ticker is expected to change to MTVA in connection with the MetaVia name.
Cardiometabolic Pipeline Focus
The company states that it is developing DA-1726 for obesity. DA-1726 is described as a novel oxyntomodulin (OXM) analogue that functions as a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP1R) and glucagon receptor (GCGR) dual agonist. OXM is characterized as a naturally occurring gut hormone that activates GLP1R and GCGR, decreasing food intake while increasing energy expenditure. Based on this mechanism, the company has indicated that DA-1726 is being evaluated in a multi-part Phase 1 clinical trial in obese, otherwise healthy subjects, including single ascending dose (SAD) and multiple ascending dose (MAD) components, with additional cohorts added to explore the maximum tolerated dose.
The company is also developing DA-1241 for MASH. DA-1241 is described as 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 cited by the company, DA-1241 demonstrated a positive effect on liver inflammation, lipid metabolism, weight loss, and glucose metabolism, with reductions in hepatic steatosis, hepatic inflammation, and liver fibrosis, along with improved glucose control. NeuroBo/MetaVia has reported conducting a two-part Phase 2a clinical trial in subjects with presumed MASH, including arms evaluating DA-1241 alone and in combination with sitagliptin, a DPP-4 inhibitor.
Clinical Development Activities
Company news releases describe a multi-stage development plan for DA-1726 in obesity. The Phase 1 program includes:
- SAD Part 1: single ascending dose study in obese, otherwise healthy participants, designed as a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. The company has reported that single ascending doses were found to be safe and well tolerated in top-line data, with a dose-linear pharmacokinetic profile and no serious adverse events in the SAD portion.
- MAD Part 2: multiple ascending dose study, also randomized, placebo-controlled, and double-blind, with participants receiving weekly administrations of DA-1726 or placebo. Company communications describe this part as assessing safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), and pharmacodynamics (PD).
- Planned Part 3: an early proof-of-concept component, described in press releases as a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled evaluation of DA-1726 in obese, otherwise healthy subjects, intended to explore efficacy and safety over a longer period.
For DA-1241, the company has outlined a two-part Phase 2a trial in MASH. Each part is described as a 16-week, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel clinical study in subjects with presumed MASH. In Part 1, patients are randomized to DA-1241 at different dose levels or placebo, while Part 2 evaluates DA-1241 in combination with sitagliptin versus placebo. The primary endpoint for both parts is the change from baseline in alanine transaminase (ALT) at Week 16, with secondary endpoints including normalization of ALT and changes in lipid parameters and other metabolic markers. Safety is assessed through monitoring adverse events, serious adverse events, and laboratory abnormalities.
Mechanistic Rationale
According to company descriptions, DA-1726 leverages dual activation of GLP1R and GCGR to address obesity. By mimicking oxyntomodulin, DA-1726 is intended to reduce food intake and increase energy expenditure. The company has highlighted pre-clinical data in animal models where DA-1726 produced weight loss and beneficial effects on lipid parameters, and has noted that its mechanism involves balanced activation of GLP1R and glucagon receptors.
DA-1241, as a GPR119 agonist, is described as promoting the release of GLP-1, GIP, and PYY, which play roles in glucose and lipid metabolism and weight regulation. Company materials state that DA-1241 has shown beneficial effects on liver inflammation and metabolic parameters in pre-clinical models of MASH and type 2 diabetes, including reductions in hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis, and improvements in glucose control.
Corporate Evolution and Ticker Transition
NeuroBo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has announced a corporate name change to MetaVia Inc., with a corresponding change in its Nasdaq ticker symbol from NRBO to MTVA. Company communications describe this change as reflecting its focus on cardiometabolic diseases and its in-licensed assets targeting the obesity and MASH markets. SEC filings dated in 2025 identify the registrant as MetaVia Inc., incorporated in Delaware, and continue to reference its cardiometabolic development programs, including DA-1726 and DA-1241.
Earlier descriptions of NeuroBo also referenced legacy assets such as NB-01 for painful diabetic neuropathy and other programs; more recent company updates emphasize the strategic realignment around DA-1726 and DA-1241 as core cardiometabolic assets.
Regulatory and Capital Markets Context
The company’s shares have been listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market, initially under the symbol NRBO and, according to company announcements, expected to trade under MTVA following the effective date of the name and ticker change. SEC filings describe typical public company activities such as annual meetings of stockholders, approval of reverse stock split authority, and financing transactions involving warrants and common stock.
Through its SEC reports, the company has also detailed research and development expenditures related to its Phase 1 and Phase 2a trials, as well as general and administrative expenses and other income items. These filings provide context on how the company allocates resources to advance DA-1726 and DA-1241 through clinical development.
Summary
In summary, the NRBO/MetaVia story centers on a clinical-stage biotechnology company in the cardiometabolic disease space, with two principal investigational drugs:
- DA-1726: an oxyntomodulin analogue acting as a GLP1R/GCGR dual agonist, in Phase 1 development for obesity, with SAD and MAD components and a planned proof-of-concept extension.
- DA-1241: a GPR119 agonist in Phase 2a development for MASH, with trial designs that include monotherapy and combination therapy with sitagliptin.
Investors researching the historical NRBO ticker can view it as the earlier symbol for the company now identified as MetaVia Inc., which continues to report its progress and material events through SEC filings and press releases.