– SRK-439, a myostatin inhibitor, is part of Scholar Rock’s industry-leading anti-myostatin portfolio
– Obesity program continues to progress, with first participants dosed in Phase 2 EMBRAZE trial of apitegromab in obesity
CAMBRIDGE, MA, USA I June 24, 2024 I Scholar Rock (NASDAQ: SRRK), a late-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on advancing innovative treatments for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), cardiometabolic disorders, and other serious diseases where protein growth factors play a fundamental role, today announced that the first participants were dosed in the Phase 2 EMBRAZE proof-of-concept trial, designed to assess the safety and efficacy of apitegromab, an investigational, highly selective myostatin inhibitor, to preserve lean muscle mass in individuals living with obesity and on background therapy of a GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA). The trial will also evaluate the effects of apitegromab on the durability of weight loss upon withdrawal of GLP-1 RA therapy. The results from this trial will inform the development of SRK-439, a novel investigational selective myostatin inhibitor optimized for the treatment of cardiometabolic disorders, including obesity.
The Company also presented new preclinical data that support the potential of SRK-439 to increase lean mass and contribute to a favorable body composition following withdrawal from GLP-1 RA treatment. These data were presented by Melissa Fulham, PhD, of Scholar Rock, at the American Diabetes Association’s 84th Scientific Sessions on June 23rd in Orlando, Florida.
“We are happy to share the exciting news that we’ve dosed the first participants in our EMBRAZE clinical trial ahead of schedule and to have new preclinical data with SRK-439, our highly selective anti-myostatin, featured at the American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions,” said Jay Backstrom, M.D., MPH, President and Chief Executive Officer at Scholar Rock. “SRK-439 preclinical data to date have demonstrated preservation of lean mass with GLP-1 RA-induced weight loss, attenuation of fat mass regain following GLP-1 RA withdrawal, and greater potency compared to an anti-ACTRII antibody. Together, these data continue to support a best-in-class potential for healthy weight loss management and could be transformative for the management of weight loss. We are looking forward to providing additional updates on our cardiometabolic program as we advance SRK-439, as well as the EMBRAZE trial.”
Preclinical experimental design
For the preclinical research study, the Company tested a murine equivalent of SRK-439 in a diet-induced obesity (DIO) mouse model. Mice were given either a high-fat diet plus semaglutide (0.04 mg/kg, daily) and an IgG control antibody (weekly, 10 mg/kg), or a high-fat diet plus semaglutide (0.04 mg/kg, daily) in combination with weekly injections of SRK-439 (10 mg/kg). Following four weeks of treatment, semaglutide was withdrawn from both treatment groups and mice remained on either the IgG control antibody weekly or on SRK-439. Treatment continued for another four weeks, for a total of eight weeks in the study. Quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance (qNMR) was used to analyze change in lean mass at two weeks and again at four weeks of semaglutide treatment, and every two weeks after that until the end of the subsequent four-week withdrawal period.
Changes in body composition after semaglutide withdrawal
The group that received SRK-439 maintained more favorable body composition than the group receiving IgG antibody. Key findings supporting the potential for SRK-439 in advancing healthier weight management include:
- Administration with SRK-439 attenuated the loss of lean mass during semaglutide treatment and significantly increased lean mass after semaglutide discontinuation as compared to IgG control;
- SRK-439 administration also attenuated the fat mass rebound after semaglutide discontinuation as compared to that in IgG control + semaglutide mice; and
- Body composition, i.e. proportion of lean mass or fat mass to total body weight, was more favorable in mice receiving SRK-439 as compared to IgG control: Mice administered SRK-439 had higher relative lean mass (65.8%) and lower relative fat mass (18.0%) at the end of the withdrawal period compared to IgG control (57.1% lean mass and 28.7% fat mass).
Shown below are results for body composition at baseline (6 days before semaglutide treatment), the end of semaglutide treatment (at 4 weeks), and at the end of the semaglutide withdrawal period (at 8 weeks):
| Endpoint (units) | IgG control + semaglutide | SRK-439 + semaglutide | P value |
| Absolute lean mass (g) at baseline | 24.8 | 25.5 | n.s. |
| Absolute lean mass (g) at 4 weeks | 22.3 | 26.4 | P<0.001 |
| Absolute lean mass (g) at 8 weeks | 25.1 | 29.4 | P<0.0001 |
| Absolute fat mass (g) at baseline | 11.8 | 10.3 | n.s. |
| Absolute fat mass (g) at 4 weeks | 5.9 | 3.8 | n.s. |
| Absolute fat mass (g) at 8 weeks | 12.7 | 8.3 | n.s. |
| Relative lean mass (%) at 8 weeks | 57.1% | 65.8% | P<0.001 |
| Relative fat mass (%) at 8 weeks | 28.7% | 18.0% | P<0.01 |
“These new preclinical data provide compelling evidence that SRK-439 contributed to lean muscle preservation during GLP-1 RA-induced weight loss and attenuated fat mass rebound following discontinuation of semaglutide,” said Mo Qatanani, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer at Scholar Rock. “Mice receiving SRK-439 treatment had significantly more lean mass at the end of the semaglutide withdrawal period. These exciting data continue to support the differentiated profile of SRK-439 and its potential to contribute to healthier weight management and long-term metabolic benefits during and after GLP-1 RA treatment.”
For conference information, visit https://professional.diabetes.org/scientific-sessions.
The slides from the presentation are available in the Publications & Posters section of Scholar Rock’s website.
About EMBRAZE
EMBRAZE is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase 2 proof-of-concept trial evaluating the efficacy, safety and pharmacokinetics of apitegromab in adults with a body mass index (BMI) of >27 (overweight) or a BMI of >30 (obese) and taking a GLP-1 RA (tirzepatide or semaglutide). The target enrollment of EMBRAZE is 100 subjects aged 18-65 who are overweight or obese without diabetes. As part of the study design, the treatment period is 24 weeks, and all subjects will receive a GLP-1 RA. In addition, all subjects will be randomized 1:1 to receive either apitegromab or placebo by intravenous (IV) infusion every four weeks during the 24-week treatment period. The primary endpoint is change from baseline at Week 24 in lean mass assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Secondary endpoints include additional weight loss measures, safety and tolerability, and pharmacokinetic outcomes. Exploratory endpoints at Weeks 24 and 32 include cardiometabolic parameters (e.g. HbA1c), body composition, and physical function.
About SRK-439
SRK-439 is a novel, preclinical, investigational myostatin inhibitor that binds to pro- and latent myostatin with high affinity and is selective for myostatin (i.e., no GDF11 or Activin-A binding), and is initially being developed for the treatment of cardiometabolic disorders, including obesity. Based on preclinical data, SRK-439 has the potential to support healthier weight management by preserving lean mass during weight loss. The efficacy and safety of SRK-439 have not been established and SRK-439 has not been approved for any use by the FDA or any other regulatory agency.
About Apitegromab
Apitegromab is an investigational fully human monoclonal antibody inhibiting myostatin activation by selectively binding the pro- and latent forms of myostatin in the skeletal muscle. It is the first muscle-targeted treatment candidate to demonstrate clinical proof-of-concept in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Myostatin, a member of the TGFβ superfamily of growth factors, is expressed primarily by skeletal muscle cells, and the absence of its gene is associated with an increase in muscle mass and strength in multiple animal species, including humans. Scholar Rock believes that its highly selective targeting of pro- and latent forms of myostatin with apitegromab may lead to a clinically meaningful improvement in motor function in patients with SMA. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Fast Track, Orphan Drug and Rare Pediatric Disease designations, and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has granted Priority Medicines (PRIME) and Orphan Medicinal Product designations, to apitegromab for the treatment of SMA. The efficacy and safety of apitegromab have not been established and apitegromab has not been approved for any use by the FDA or any other regulatory agency.
About Scholar Rock
Scholar Rock is a biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, and delivers life-changing therapies for people with serious diseases that have high unmet need. As a global leader in the biology of the transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) superfamily of cell proteins and named for the visual resemblance of a scholar rock to protein structures, the clinical-stage company is focused on advancing innovative treatments where protein growth factors are fundamental. Over the past decade, Scholar Rock has created a pipeline with the potential to advance the standard of care for neuromuscular disease, cardiometabolic disorders, cancer, and other conditions where growth factor-targeted drugs can play a transformational role.
Scholar Rock is the only company to show clinical proof-of-concept for a muscle-targeted treatment in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). This commitment to unlocking fundamentally different therapeutic approaches is powered by broad application of a proprietary platform, which has developed novel monoclonal antibodies to modulate protein growth factors with extraordinary selectivity. By harnessing cutting-edge science in disease spaces that are historically under-addressed through traditional therapies, Scholar Rock works every day to create new possibilities for patients. Learn more about our approach at ScholarRock.com and follow @ScholarRock and on LinkedIn.
SOURCE: Scholar Rock
