Pemvidutide is an investigational long-acting peptide that acts as a balanced dual agonist of the glucagon and GLP-1 receptors. It is being developed primarily for metabolic and liver-related diseases, including metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), alcohol use disorder (AUD), and alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD). Its dual mechanism is intended to combine GLP-1–mediated appetite and metabolic effects with glucagon-mediated effects on hepatic metabolism.
Key Points
Drug class: GLP-1/glucagon dual-receptor agonist
Developer:Altimmune
Primary research areas: MASH, obesity/metabolic disease, AUD, and ALD.
Mechanism: Activates GLP-1 and glucagon receptors in an approximately 1:1 balanced ratio.
Metabolic effects under investigation: Appetite reduction, body-weight reduction, improvements in liver fat, inflammation, and fibrosis-related markers.
MASH development: A global Phase 3 PERFORMA trial was initiated in August 2026 to evaluate pemvidutide in patients with MASH and moderate-to-advanced fibrosis.
AUD research: Phase 2 RECLAIM results reported a statistically significant reduction in heavy-drinking days compared with placebo.
Common adverse effects reported in trials: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation.
Regulatory status:Investigational; not FDA-approved as of September 2026.
Important: Clinical-trial findings should not be interpreted as proof that pemvidutide is an approved weight-loss or liver-disease treatment.
Specifications
Generic/development name: Pemvidutide
Type: Long-acting synthetic peptide
Target receptors: GLP-1 receptor and glucagon receptor
Activity ratio: Approximately 1:1 GLP-1/glucagon agonism
Administration studied: Subcutaneous injection
Investigational doses: Clinical programs have evaluated 1.2 mg, 1.8 mg, and 2.4 mg doses; dosing is study-specific.
Frequency in current trials: Once-weekly administration
Phase: Phase 3 development for MASH; Phase 2 development in other indications.
Approved indication: None
Approved therapeutic dose: None established
Regulatory designations: FDA Breakthrough Therapy designation for MASH and Fast Track designations for MASH and AUD.
Important: Pemvidutide remains an investigational medicine. Its efficacy, long-term safety, optimal dose, and eventual approved indications will depend on results from ongoing clinical trials and regulatory review.
