San Diego, California, USA, August 8, 2026
Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. has initiated a Phase 1 first-in-human clinical study evaluating NBIP-‘1968, an investigational GLP-1/GIP/glucagon receptor triple agonist being developed as a potential treatment for obesity. The clinical milestone expands Neurocrine’s emerging obesity and metabolic disease pipeline and marks the beginning of human testing for a long-acting therapeutic candidate designed to engage three complementary metabolic pathways. NBIP-‘1968 is being investigated for its potential to influence appetite regulation, energy balance, and glycemic control while supporting a differentiated approach to weight management. The program forms part of Neurocrine’s broader strategy to develop treatments addressing the complex biological mechanisms underlying obesity, an area where additional options are needed despite recent advances in pharmacological therapies. The company intends to further investigate NBIP-‘1968 in combination with another investigational candidate, NBIP-‘2118, as it works to build a portfolio of complementary mechanisms for people living with obesity.
Phase 1 Study Evaluates Safety of Triple Agonist
The newly initiated Phase 1 clinical study will initially assess the safety and tolerability of NBIP-‘1968 following single ascending doses in adult participants across a range of body mass index categories, including individuals who are overweight or obese. As a first-in-human study, the trial is designed to generate initial clinical information that will guide subsequent development of the investigational therapy. NBIP-‘1968 is an internally discovered, long-acting triple agonist designed for potential once-weekly subcutaneous administration. The candidate simultaneously targets receptors for glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), and glucagon, three signaling pathways involved in metabolic regulation. Neurocrine has designed NBIP-‘1968 with balanced glucagon receptor activity, an approach intended to explore the potential metabolic benefits associated with glucagon signaling while supporting tolerability. Results from the early clinical program will help determine whether the candidate can progress into later-stage studies evaluating its potential therapeutic effects.
NBIP-‘1968 Targets Multiple Metabolic Pathways
Unlike single-pathway therapies, NBIP-‘1968 is designed to engage three metabolic mechanisms simultaneously, potentially providing a broader pharmacological approach to obesity management. GLP-1 and GIP signaling can influence appetite and glucose regulation, while glucagon signaling plays an important role in energy metabolism. By combining these mechanisms within a single investigational molecule, Neurocrine aims to explore whether coordinated pathway activation can contribute to weight loss and improved metabolic health while addressing some limitations associated with current obesity treatments. The company is also evaluating the candidate as part of a potential fixed-dose combination strategy with NBIP-‘2118, an investigational corticotropin-releasing factor type 2 receptor agonist that is currently in Phase 1 development. Neurocrine’s broader obesity research portfolio includes additional early-stage programs designed to investigate complementary biological mechanisms and potentially support longer dosing intervals.
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Neurocrine Builds Broader Obesity Drug Pipeline
The initiation of the NBIP-‘1968 study comes as obesity continues to represent a major chronic disease and public health challenge worldwide. Obesity is associated with serious conditions including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obstructive sleep apnea, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, certain cancers, and osteoarthritis. The disease is influenced by complex biological, environmental, and genetic factors, creating demand for therapies that can provide safe and sustainable long-term weight management. Neurocrine is seeking to address these needs by exploring differentiated approaches that may potentially improve weight loss, preserve lean mass, and enhance treatment tolerability. The company already has expertise across neurological, psychiatric, endocrine, and immunological disorders, and its expanding obesity portfolio represents an important diversification of its research pipeline. With NBIP-‘1968 now entering human clinical development, future studies will determine whether the triple agonist can demonstrate a clinically meaningful benefit and support progression toward later-stage development. The Phase 1 milestone therefore represents an important early step in Neurocrine’s efforts to develop next-generation obesity therapeutics based on complementary metabolic mechanisms.
Source: Neurocrine Biosciences press release
