A dual GLP-1 and glucagon agonist developed by Altimmune has been shown to reduce drinking in people with alcohol use disorder (AUD), adding to the evidence that incretin therapies may have a role to play in addiction. In the phase 2 RECLAIM trial, a 2.4 mg subcutaneous injection of pemvidutide, given once a week, achieved a statistically significant reduction in weekly heavy drinking days (HDD), compared to placebo, in patients with moderate to severe AUD. Other incretin drugs acting on the GLP-1 pathway, including Novo Nordisk's semaglutide, have also shown efficacy in reducing alcohol intake in AUD, with researchers speculating they may work by reducing cravings. Moreover, "given the known detrimental effects of alcohol on the liver, the liver-directed impact of glucagon in pemvidutide may provide further benefit in the treatment of AUD over GLP-1 alone," added Arbet-Engels. That could differentiate the drug from GLP-1 drugs being developed for AUD, such as semaglutide, Eli Lilly's brenipatide, and Baseline Therapeutics' BT-001.