CAMBRIDGE, Mass., June 24, 2026
Wave Life Sciences announced the initiation of the Phase 2a multidose portion of the INLIGHT™ clinical trial evaluating WVE-007, an investigational GalNAc-siRNA therapy, as a monotherapy for individuals living with obesity and cardiometabolic diseases. The placebo-controlled Phase 2a study will enroll patients with high body mass index (BMI 35–50 kg/m²) and obesity-related comorbidities, with and without type 2 diabetes. The trial marks the next stage of development following encouraging Phase 1 findings demonstrating meaningful reductions in body fat while preserving muscle mass after a single dose.
Early Clinical Data Show Fat Loss with Preserved Muscle
The ongoing Phase 1 portion of the INLIGHT trial continues to evaluate single-dose WVE-007 in individuals with overweight or obesity. Six-month follow-up data showed that a single 240 mg dose reduced visceral fat by 14% (p<0.05), total body fat by 5%, and waist circumference by 3%. WVE-007 was generally safe and well tolerated at doses up to 600 mg, with results supporting the potential for once- or twice-yearly dosing. The company believes the therapy’s targeted mechanism may deliver greater improvements in body composition, clinically meaningful weight loss, and preservation of lean muscle in patients with more advanced obesity.
Phase 2a Trial to Evaluate Broader Metabolic Benefits
The Phase 2a portion of the INLIGHT trial will enroll participants across the United States and Europe and assess multiple clinical endpoints over a 12-month period. Researchers will evaluate changes in body weight, waist circumference, body composition using MRI and DEXA imaging, liver fat by MRI-PDFF, HbA1c, lipid levels, and other cardiometabolic biomarkers. Findings from the study are expected to guide the future development of WVE-007 not only in obesity but also in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
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RNA Medicine Targets INHBE to Improve Cardiometabolic Health
WVE-007 utilizes Wave Life Sciences’ proprietary Stereopure interfering Nucleic Acid (SpiNA) technology to silence INHBE mRNA, a genetically validated target associated with healthier body composition and lower cardiometabolic risk. Individuals carrying protective loss-of-function variants of the INHBE gene naturally exhibit reduced visceral fat and a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Preclinical studies also demonstrated improved insulin sensitivity, reduced inflammation and fibrosis in visceral adipose tissue, while combination studies with semaglutide doubled weight loss in animal models and prevented weight regain after discontinuation. Building on these findings, Wave plans to initiate additional Phase 2 clinical trials during the second half of 2026 evaluating WVE-007 in combination with incretin therapies and as a post-incretin maintenance treatment, further expanding its obesity and metabolic disease development strategy.
Source:Wave Life Sciences press release
