Lexaria Bioscience Corp. has announced promising interim results from its Phase 1b study, GLP-1-H24-4, highlighting the efficacy of DehydraTECH-semaglutide in reducing side effects compared to the widely used Rybelsus®. The study, conducted in Australia, focuses on the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of DehydraTECH (DHT) formulated GLP-1 medications, specifically semaglutide and tirzepatide, against Rybelsus®, the only approved oral GLP-1 medication.
According to the interim data, DehydraTECH-semaglutide demonstrated a 36.5% reduction in overall adverse events (AEs) and a 43.5% reduction in gastrointestinal (GI) AEs compared to Rybelsus®. Notably, while every participant in the Rybelsus® control group experienced at least one AE, only 79.2% of those in the DehydraTECH-semaglutide group reported AEs. This significant reduction in side effects could lead to improved patient adherence to treatment protocols, addressing a major challenge in the management of conditions like obesity and type 2 diabetes.
The study also explored the efficacy of DehydraTECH-tirzepatide, which currently has no commercially available oral form. The findings suggest that oral DHT-tirzepatide might reduce AEs by as much as half compared to its injectable counterpart, based on a meta-analysis of previous studies. This could open new avenues for patient-friendly treatment options.
While the interim results are encouraging, Lexaria cautions that the full implications of these findings will only be clear upon completion of the study, expected by the end of 2025. The company emphasizes the need for further research to confirm these preliminary results and explore their potential impact on patient care and treatment adherence.
