LAEKNA-B (02105) shares surged 27.42% in pre-market trading on Monday following the announcement of positive preliminary results from the Phase I multiple ascending dose (MAD) study of LAE102, the company's promising obesity treatment candidate. The significant stock movement reflects investor optimism about the drug's potential in the lucrative obesity treatment market.

The MAD study, conducted on overweight and obese subjects with an average BMI of 29.4 kg/m², demonstrated encouraging trends in increasing lean body mass and reducing fat mass. Notably, subjects in the highest dose group (6mg/kg) showed an average lean body mass increase of 1.7% and a fat mass decrease of 2.2% compared to baseline. After placebo adjustment, these figures improved to a 4.6% increase in lean body mass and a 3.6% decrease in fat mass. The drug also exhibited a good safety profile, with no serious adverse events reported and most side effects being mild laboratory abnormalities.

Laekna Inc. is now actively engaging in discussions with multiple potential partners to accelerate LAE102's clinical development and commercialization process. The company's strong financial position allows it to be selective in choosing collaborators, aiming to maximize the global potential of its assets. Detailed study results are expected to be presented at upcoming scientific conferences, which could further boost investor interest in the company's innovative approach to obesity treatment.