CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — September 23, 2026
Wave Life Sciences announced the initiation of a Phase 2a clinical trial evaluating investigational WVE-007 in combination with tirzepatide in adults living with obesity. WVE-007 is a GalNAc-siRNA designed to silence INHBE, with Wave developing the program across monotherapy, combination therapy and post-incretin maintenance settings. The company said preclinical data demonstrated that combining its INHBE-targeting therapy with a GLP-1-based treatment doubled weight loss compared with GLP-1 treatment alone, while emerging clinical data are being evaluated for potential fat-loss and muscle-preservation effects.
WVE-007 Advances in Combination With Tirzepatide
The placebo-controlled Phase 2a combination study will evaluate 240 mg and 400 mg doses of WVE-007 alongside weekly tirzepatide in adults with obesity and type 2 diabetes. Participants are being enrolled with a BMI of 35–50 kg/m², and the trial uses a 3:1 randomization design. The study is intended to generate clinical data on the safety, tolerability and potential activity of WVE-007 when added to an established incretin-based therapy. Wave is investigating whether INHBE silencing can complement GLP-1 therapy by supporting additional fat loss while potentially limiting muscle loss.
INLIGHT Program Evaluates Multiple Obesity Strategies
Wave’s INLIGHT clinical program is evaluating WVE-007 as a monotherapy and in combination with tirzepatide, with additional development planned for post-incretin maintenance. The ongoing Phase 2a monotherapy study includes assessments over 12 months, with results expected to inform development in obesity as well as metabolic-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Wave also remains on track to initiate a clinical trial in the second half of 2026 evaluating whether WVE-007 can help preserve weight loss after discontinuation of incretin treatment.
Advertisement
WVE-007 Targets INHBE With Potential for Less Frequent Dosing
WVE-007 is an investigational GalNAc-siRNA designed to silence INHBE, a target being studied for its potential role in regulating body composition and metabolism. Wave said clinical data to date support a potential once- or twice-yearly dosing schedule, alongside a favorable safety and tolerability profile. Preclinical studies have also suggested potential synergy between INHBE silencing and GLP-1 therapies. These findings remain investigational, and whether WVE-007 can produce clinically meaningful additional weight loss or preserve muscle mass in humans will depend on results from ongoing controlled clinical trials.
Source :Wave Life Sciences, press release
