By Nicholas G. Miller

Wave Life Sciences' WVE-007 obesity drug delivered improvements in body composition in the phase one portion of a study, the company said.

A single 240 milligram dose led to a 14% decline in visceral fat, a 5% decrease in total fat, a 2% increase in lean mass, a 3% reduction in waist circumference and a 1% decline in body weight, on a placebo-adjusted basis at a six-month follow up.

The company said the study involved participants with less fat than those typically enrolled in later-stage obesity studies and that it had expected the drug to have greater effects among those with a higher body mass index.

Wave is set to begin a phase 2a portion of the study involving participants with higher BMI and co-morbidities in the second quarter.

"WVE-007 could serve as a particularly meaningful therapeutic option for those vulnerable to muscle loss, and those currently taking GLP-1s who are looking for a long-term maintenance strategy," said Chief Medical Officer Christopher Wright. "Beyond obesity, by significantly lowering visceral fat and retaining skeletal muscle, today's data also suggest WVE-007's powerful, differentiated cardiometabolic profile could address additional indications such as MASH, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease."

Shares were down 43% at $7.01 in premarket trading.

Write to Nicholas G. Miller at nicholas.miller@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

March 26, 2026 08:08 ET (12:08 GMT)

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