Regeneron’s Muscle-Preserving Drug Boosts Weight Loss Benefits with Wegovy in Clinical Trials
Mid-stage trial shows trevogrumab helps patients retain muscle mass while enhancing fat loss when combined with Wegovy
Topline
A new mid-stage trial shows that Regeneron’s experimental drug trevogrumab, when combined with Wegovy, can help patients preserve more than half of their muscle mass while boosting fat loss marking a potential breakthrough in obesity treatment.
Study Details
The study investigated whether adding Regeneron's trevogrumab to Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy could reduce the common side effect of muscle loss associated with GLP-1-based obesity drugs. This comes amid growing demand for treatments that not only reduce weight but also maintain physical strength and function.
Methodology
Conducted in 599 participants, the trial evaluated weight loss and muscle preservation over a mid-stage duration. Participants were split into groups receiving either Wegovy alone or in combination with trevogrumab. Some also received a triple therapy including another antibody, garetosmab.
Key Findings
Muscle Preservation: Wegovy alone caused an average loss of 7.9 pounds of lean muscle. Adding trevogrumab reduced muscle loss to 4.2 pounds a 51% improvement.
Weight Loss: Patients on the combo lost up to 11.3% of body weight, compared to 10.4% with Wegovy alone.
Triple Therapy: The addition of garetosmab brought weight loss to 13.2%, but with 28% dropout due to side effects, including two patient deaths whose link to the drug is still unclear.
Implications for Practice
This early data suggests a future where obesity treatment not only helps with fat reduction but also protects patients from frailty, falls, and strength decline. For clinicians, the promise of preserving muscle mass without sacrificing weight loss efficacy is significant—especially for older adults and those with mobility risks. However, safety concerns, regulatory clarity, and long-term outcomes remain key challenges.