According to preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2025, a new investigational medication called DR10624 reduced triglyceride levels by more than 60% in most patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia during a 12-week clinical trial. The medication represents a novel approach by simultaneously activating three different receptors - FGF21, glucagon and GLP-1 receptors - all involved in how the body processes fats and sugars.
This development is significant because severe hypertriglyceridemia, characterized by levels between 500-2,000 mg/dL, presents substantial health risks including increased likelihood of cardiovascular disease and pancreatitis. Current treatments including fibrates, concentrated omega-3 fatty acids, and statins often provide insufficient triglyceride reduction and limited effects on liver fat. The American Heart Association provides educational resources about cholesterol and triglycerides at https://www.heart.org.
The Phase 2 trial involved 79 adults with severe hypertriglyceridemia randomly assigned to receive either weekly subcutaneous injections of DR10624 at varying doses or a placebo. Results showed dramatic improvements across multiple measures. Patients receiving the 12.5 mg dose achieved a 74.5% reduction in triglycerides, while the 25 mg and 50 mg titration doses produced reductions of 66.2% and 68.9% respectively, compared to only 8.0% reduction in the placebo group.
Perhaps equally important was the medication's effect on liver health. Patients treated with DR10624 experienced a 63.5% reduction in liver fat, addressing a common complication for people with severe hypertriglyceridemia who often develop excess liver fat leading to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). This condition can progress to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), for which there is only one FDA-approved therapy currently available.
Lead study author Jianping Li, M.D., Ph.D., from Peking University First Hospital in China noted that DR10624 could become a game-changer for patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia by reducing long-term risks of pancreatitis, MASLD, and cardiovascular disease. The study abstract is available through the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2025 Online Program Planner at https://professional.heart.org.
The most common side effects were gastrointestinal issues such as nausea or stomach upset, which are typical with medications targeting GLP-1 receptors. Researchers suggested that gradually increasing the dose over several weeks in future studies might help alleviate these symptoms. The study authors emphasized that while these preliminary results are promising, the research has limitations including its short duration, small sample size, and exclusive focus on participants from Mainland China.
Future research will need to examine longer-term effects, include more diverse populations, and directly compare DR10624 with existing triglyceride-lowering medications. The researchers also suggested that DR10624's multi-receptor approach might make it suitable for combination therapies with other medications, potentially benefiting patients with additional conditions like Type 2 diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease.
