Rani Therapeutics Announces Preclinical Data Demonstrating Successful Oral Delivery of Semaglutide via RaniPill® HC
February 05 2025 - 4:05PM
Rani Therapeutics Holdings, Inc. (“Rani Therapeutics” or “Rani”)
(Nasdaq: RANI), a clinical-stage biotherapeutics company focused on
the oral delivery of biologics and drugs, today announced new
pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data from a preclinical study
evaluating the oral delivery of the glucagon-like peptide-1
receptor (GLP-1) agonist semaglutide administered via the RaniPill®
capsule.
Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that
selectively binds to and activates the GLP-1 receptor mimicking its
activity. GLP-1 is an incretin hormone and enterogastrone that
stimulates insulin secretion, inhibits glucagon secretion, delays
gastric emptying and reduces the production of stomach acid serving
as a physiological regulator of appetite and food intake.
“We believe these data provide further
validation of the RaniPill® oral delivery platform across a wide
variety of injectable obesity treatments. We are encouraged to see
that delivery of semaglutide via the RaniPill® capsule demonstrated
comparable bioavailability, pharmacokinetics and weight loss to
subcutaneous administration of semaglutide at the same dose,” said
Talat Imran, Chief Executive Officer of Rani Therapeutics. “The
target product profile of semaglutide in the RaniPill® capsule
would be once-weekly oral administration of semaglutide therapy,
which we believe may be more convenient for patients and could lead
to improved adherence. Overall, the totality of the preclinical
data we have generated in the obesity space demonstrating the
successful delivery of both single and triagonist incretin
therapies gives us confidence to continue building our obesity
portfolio to unlock the true value of the RaniPill® technology.
Looking ahead, we are excited to begin our Phase 1 study for
RT-114, Rani’s GLP-1/GLP-2 dual agonist in partnership with ProGen
this year.”
Currently, semaglutide is only available as a
subcutaneous injection (SC) for the treatment of obesity and is
marketed in the U.S. by Novo Nordisk as WEGOVY®. Worldwide sales
for WEGOVY® were approximately $3.1 billion in the first half of
2024.
“There are currently no approved
orally-administered GLP-1 agonists on the market for the treatment
of obesity,” said Jesper Høiland, Senior Strategic Advisor for Rani
Therapeutics and former executive at Novo Nordisk. “While RYBELSUS®
is an oral version of semaglutide approved to improve glycemic
control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus, it requires daily
administration at a significantly higher dose than the subcutaneous
equivalent. In comparison, the RaniPill HC harnesses advanced
technology to deliver the same dose as the subcutaneous injection
of semaglutide with expected weekly oral administration. I believe
that a convenient, once-weekly oral version of semaglutide
delivered via the RaniPill HC has the potential to be
transformational as a next generation treatment that would impact
how obesity is treated worldwide.”
Study Design
- The nonclinical pharmacokinetic
(PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) study was conducted to examine the
effects of semaglutide delivered orally via the RaniPill (RT-116)
versus a subcutaneous (SC) injection comparator group.
- The 2x2 crossover study was
conducted in two parts with a period of 4 weeks separating the two
groups to evaluate the PK, PD and safety of RT-116.
- Eight canines were randomized into
two groups who received 0.5mg of semaglutide delivered via oral
administration of the RaniPill® HC (N=4) or subcutaneous injection
(N=4).
- Endpoints included plasma drug
concentrations, body weight, food intake, lipid profile, and
safety.
Data Highlights
- Semaglutide was successfully
delivered in 7 of 8 canines that received the RaniPill®
capsule.
- Semaglutide administered via the
RaniPill® capsule was well tolerated with no serious adverse
events.
- Cmax, Tmax, and AUC were comparable
for semglutide administered via RaniPill® capsule and subcutaneous
administration of semaglutide.
- Oral administration via the
RaniPill® capsule demonstrated bioavailability and biological
activity comparable to subcutaneous administration.
- The relative bioavailability of
oral semaglutide was 107% versus subcutaneous administration.
- Both groups saw comparable weight
loss which appeared to be driven by decreased food intake that
coincided with rises in plasma drug levels thus indicating there is
a PD effect to treatment.
- Both groups saw comparable moderate
decreases in serum triglycerides and cholesterol.
Route |
Cmax(ng/mL) |
Tmax(days) |
Tlast(days) |
AUClast(ng/mL*day) |
Oral (RT-116) |
941 ± 90 |
1.3 ± 0.3 |
17 ± 2 |
3630 ± 222 |
SC |
948 ± 120 |
1.3 ± 0.3 |
17 ± 1 |
3390 ± 402 |
All data is mean ± standard error. |
Near-Term Milestone
Expectations:
- Initiation of Phase 1 clinical
trial of RT-114 containing a GLP-1/GLP-2 dual agonist for the
treatment of obesity expected in 2025.
About Rani TherapeuticsRani
Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotherapeutics company focused on
advancing technologies to enable the development of orally
administered biologics and drugs. Rani has developed the RaniPill®
capsule, which is a novel, proprietary and patented platform
technology, intended to replace subcutaneous injection or
intravenous infusion of biologics and drugs with oral dosing. Rani
has successfully conducted several preclinical and clinical studies
to evaluate safety, tolerability and bioavailability using
RaniPill® capsule technology. For more information, visit
ranitherapeutics.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that
are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” within
the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. Such forward-looking statements include statements regarding,
among other things, the expected initiation of a Phase 1 trial of
RT-114 in 2025, the potential of the RaniPill® platform to enable
oral delivery of multiple obesity treatments and validation of such
potential through preclinical data, the target product profile of
semaglutide delivered via the RaniPill® capsule, the novelty,
convenience and attractiveness of a once-weekly oral semaglutide
treatment for patients, Rani’s confidence to continue building an
obesity portfolio, the potential of a once-weekly oral version of
semaglutide in the RaniPill® capsule to deliver the same benefits
as subcutaneous delivery and to impact patients’ lives, the
sufficiency of Rani’s cash reserves, and future financial
performance. Because such statements are subject to risks and
uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Words such
as “believe,” “would,” “potential,” “expect,” “continue” and
similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking
statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon Rani’s
current expectations and involve assumptions that may never
materialize or may prove to be incorrect. Actual results could
differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking
statements as a result of various risks and uncertainties, which
include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties associated
with Rani’s business in general and the other risks described in
Rani’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
including Rani’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2023, and subsequent filings and reports by Rani. All
forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak
only as of the date on which they were made and are based on
management’s assumptions and estimates as of such date. Rani
undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect
events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on
which they were made, except as required by law.
Investor
Contact:investors@ranitherapeutics.com
Media
Contact:media@ranitherapeutics.com
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