There’s a new kid on the block when it comes to drug companies developing treatments for obesity, and this one has a clear advantage over rivals. Metsera Inc., a New York-based biotech that went public on Jan. 31 with some fanfare, has a full portfolio of weight-loss drugs in development, using both the hormones already used in existing treatments, as well as an oral peptide delivery technology, according to Evercore ISI analysts. More importantly, the company already has a fill/finish and sterile injectable manufacturing arrangement lined up via a partnership with generics company Amneal Pharmaceuticals Inc., analysts Umer Raffat and Michael DiFiore wrote in a note the clients published Tuesday. That means they are ready to scale up, assuming clinical trials under way deliver the right results. That’s not all. Metsera’s GLP-1 peptide also has a long half-life, which could allow for monthly dosing, a more convenient administration system than the current approved drugs, which require weekly injections. “Between the long half-life of GLP-1 peptide and slightly improved bioavailability in oral tech, Metsera’s API math for oral is quite reasonable/doable,” the analysts wrote. API stands for active pharmaceutical ingredient, a foundation for drug development that also covers product safety and efficacy. Using less API will help reduce the company’s costs and make it more competitive in scaling up, the analysts said.

Full report : Metsera’s GLP-1 peptide has a long half-life, meaning it could be administered once a month. And the company is ready to scale up.