Terns Pharmaceuticals(US:TERN) Globenewswire·2025-10-21 20:05Core Insights - Terns Pharmaceuticals announced the topline results from its Phase 2 trial of TERN-601, a novel oral GLP-1 receptor agonist for obesity, which showed a maximum placebo-adjusted weight loss of 4.6% but did not meet the high threshold for safety, tolerability, and efficacy required for further development [1][2][3] - The company will not advance TERN-601 or invest in other metabolic assets, instead focusing on TERN-701, a potential best-in-class allosteric BCR-ABL inhibitor for chronic myeloid leukemia, with new clinical data expected this quarter [1][2] Phase 2 Trial Results - The Phase 2 trial demonstrated statistically significant weight loss at doses greater than 500 mg, with the following placebo-adjusted weight loss results: - 250 mg: -1.8% - 500 mg slow titration: -3.6% - 500 mg: -4.6% - 750 mg: -3.0% - p-values for these results were significant, particularly for the 500 mg dose [3][4] - The trial included 134 participants, with 11.9% discontinuing treatment and 8.2% modifying doses due to adverse events, primarily gastrointestinal [4][9] Safety and Tolerability - The most common adverse events were gastrointestinal, with nausea reported in 56% of participants and vomiting in 26.9% [4][9] - No severe gastrointestinal adverse events were reported, and liver function tests remained stable during the treatment period, although three participants experienced grade 3 liver enzyme elevations post-treatment, with two deemed drug-related [9][10] Participant Demographics - The trial participants were predominantly female (78-79%), with a mean age range of 47-53 years, and mean weight and BMI ranges of 99-102 kg and 36-37 kg/m², respectively [5][10] Company Focus - Following the trial results, the company reiterated its commitment to advancing the TERN-701 program for chronic myeloid leukemia, with new data from the Phase 1 CARDINAL trial expected to be announced this quarter [2][8]