STAT+: Five-way obesity drug is super effective — in mice

STAT PlusNewsletterThe Readout Five-way obesity drug is super effective — in mice A “quintuple agonist,” Alector halts it Alzheimer’s trial, and more biotech news from The Readout Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Meghana KeshavanApril 30, 2026 Biotech Correspondent Meghana Keshavan[email protected]Meghana Keshavan covers biotech and contributes to The Readout newsletter. Want to stay on top of the science and politics driving biotech today? Sign up to get our biotech newsletter in your inbox. Move over, GLP-1s. A preclinical next-gen obesity drug is stacking five mechanisms (in mice). Also, the NIH funding climate is rougher than ever, Novartis is reshoring more of its manufacturing, and another Alzheimer’s program is scuttled.Advertisement The need-to-know this morning More pharma earnings: Merck, Bristol Myers Squibb and Eli Lilly Notable biotech earnings: Alnylam. UniQure said it will submit a marketing application for its Huntington’s disease gene therapy to U.K. regulators in the third quarter. Craig Venter, scientist, genomic pioneer and entrepreneur, died. It’s far harder to get an NIH grant these days The odds of landing an NIH grant have cratered to near-unsustainable levels. Only 13% of applications were funded last year, STAT’s Anil Oza writes, with even top-scoring proposals no longer having good odds. Now, researchers are scrambling to survive in a system that’s become both hypercompetitive and opaque. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus in-depth analysis, newsletters, premium events, and news alerts. Already have an account? Log in Monthly $39 Totals $468 per year $39/month Get Started Totals $468 per year Starter $30 for 3 months, then $399/year $30 for 3 months Get Started Then $399/year Annual $399 Save 15% $399/year Get Started Save 15% 11+ Users Custom Savings start at 25%! Request A Quote Request A Quote Savings start at 25%! 2-10 Users $300 Annually per user $300/year Get Started $300 Annually per user View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe Log In biotechnology, drug development, Drug prices, research Submit a correction requestReprints Meghana Keshavan Biotech Correspondent Meghana Keshavan covers biotech and contributes to The Readout newsletter. Newsletter Your morning rundown of the science, politics, and money driving biotech today Recommended Adam's Biotech Scorecard April 30, 2026 STAT Plus: What does Akeso’s primo plenary spot say about its survival data? The Readout April 29, 2026 STAT Plus: A patent win for Pfizer and BridgeBio Advertisement Biotech April 28, 2026 STAT Plus: FDA launches effort to speed up clinical trials, using AI Biotech April 28, 2026 Fauci adviser David Morens indicted on charges of concealing emails, avoiding records requests The Readout April 28, 2026 STAT Plus: Boehringer’s obesity drug shows 16.6% weight loss; more data needed Subscriber Picks