Type of technology
peptide lipidation technology
Administration route
Subcutaneous, Oral
Development state and regulatory approval
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogues (GLP-1)
Phase III
Not provided
Description
The HALO (Half-life Augmented Ligand Oligomer) is a peptide lipidation–based drug delivery technology designed to extend the PK of peptide therapeutics, particularly glucagon-like peptide‑1 (GLP‑1) analogues. This approach involves the covalent conjugation of lipid moieties to peptide backbones, a process commonly referred to as peptide lipidation. The resulting modified peptides exhibit prolonged systemic exposure due to reduced clearance and enhanced stability, enabling extended dosing intervals. In addition, the sustained pharmacokinetic profile minimizes peak-to-trough fluctuations.
Developer(s)
Metsera
Metsera is a recent (2022) biotechnology startup that rapidly grew due to its innovative obesity drug pipeline. Within just a few years, it progressed from early development to IPO and major acquisition by Pfizer, highlighting the high strategic importance of obesity therapeutics in the pharmaceutical industry. In October 2025, merging of Metsera with Pfizer was completed.
Pfizer
Pfizer is a global biopharmaceutical company headquartered in New York, USA, and is one of the world’s leading developers of innovative medicines and vaccines. Founded in 1849, Pfizer focuses on key therapeutic areas such as oncology, vaccines, internal medicine, and inflammation, with the goal of improving health and extending life worldwide.
Technology highlight
1. Enhances plasma protein binding, particularly to albumin, thereby increasing systemic retention. 2. Reduces renal clearance, contributing to prolonged circulation time. 3. Improves resistance to enzymatic degradation, including proteolytic cleavage. 4. Enables the development of ultra‑long‑acting peptide therapeutics with extended pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles. 5. HALO utilizes proprietary oligonucleotide sequence which reduces renal clearance.
Illustration(s)
Technology main components
1) Proprietary Oligonucelotide carrier 2) GLP-1 peptide 2) Proprietary Linker (spacer region) 3) Lipid moiety (fatty acid chain) 4) Stabilizing amino acids
Not provided
Delivery device(s)
No delivery device
APIs compatibility profile
GLP-1 peptide analogues, NuSH (Nutrient-Stimulated Hormone) analog peptides and other analogues used in the treatment of Overweight and obesity are the targeted molecules for HALO peptide lipidated complex.
Not provided
Not provided
75-90 wt%
1 single API :
Not provided
Scale-up and manufacturing prospects
MET-097 (PF-08653944) is planned to be scaled and manufactured by Pfizer, Inc at their Andover, Massachusetts (mammalian cell platform) and Kalamazoo, Michigan (sterile injectables) sites in the United States of America.
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Excipients
No proprietary excipient used
No novel excipient or existing excipient used
No residual solvent used
Additional features
Not provided
Based on preclinical studies, pharmacokinetic analysis revealed that MET-097 has a mean time to peak concentration of approximately 18 days, with predictable, dose-proportional plasma levels and minimal variability. The accumulation ratio after five weekly doses was approximately three, and a two-fold dose increase resulted in a predictable rise in drug exposure.
HALO™ technology–based therapeutics are administered via subcutaneous injection using a 23‑ to 25‑gauge needle, consistent with standard clinical practice for injectable peptide therapeutics.
No AE-related discontinuations occurred. Common GI AEs (nausea/vomiting) were mostly mild and within the first few weeks of dosing. By day 36 post-treatment, MET097 caused dose-dependent clinically meaningful weight loss, which was maintained through day 85, 8 wks after the last dose.
Not provided
Not provided
Therapeutic area(s)
- Diabetes : "T2DM"
- Other(s) : "Cardiovascular diseases, Inflammation, Metabolic disorders"
- Obesity / Weight Management
- Treatment
Potential associated API(s)
- Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogues (GLP-1)
- Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogues (GLP-1)
- Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogues (GLP-1)
- MET-233i
Use of technology
- Administered by a community health worker
- Administered by a nurse
- Administered by a specialty health worker
- Self-administered
Weekly, Monthly
Not provided
Targeted user groups
- Adults
- Older Adults
- All
Unspecified
Unspecified
Unspecified
Not provided
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogues (GLP-1)
Anti-obesity agent
Phase III
NCT07400653
Obesity and over-weight management
Male or female adults, aged ≥18 years with BMI ≥27.0 kg/m2
Once monthly; Once weekly
Not provided
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogues (GLP-1)
Anti-Obesity Agent
Phase I
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogues (GLP-1)
Anti-Obesity Agent
Pre-clinical
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
MET-233i
Amylin Analog - Ultra-Long-Acting Amylin Receptor Agonist
Phase I
NCT07022977
Obesity or Overweight
Not provided
Once monthly
Not approved yet
There are either no relevant patents or these were not yet submitted to LAPaL
Publications
CHARLOTTE HINDS, JAMES S. MINNION, GEORGIA ZOUMPOULIDOU; 794-P: MET-097: Preclinical Characterization of a Potent and Ultra-Long-Acting GLP-1 Receptor Agonist. Diabetes 20 June 2025; 74 (Supplement_1): 794–P. https://doi.org/10.2337/db25-794-P
Introduction and Objective: MET-097 is a potent, fully Gs protein biased glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) currently in phase 2 development for overweight and obesity. Using HALO™ technology, MET-097 was engineered for sustained half-life (t1/2) to potentially allow less frequent dosing. Here we describe the pharmacology of MET-097 in preclinical species in comparison to other NuSH therapies.
Methods: The pharmacokinetics of MET-097 were determined after single and repeat subcutaneous (SC) administration to rats and pigs. The impact of MET-097 on weight was measured in DIO mice over 22 d and compared to equimolar doses of semaglutide, tirzepatide, and other multi-agonists.
Results: The t1/2 of MET-097 was determined to be 24 h in rats and 99 h in pigs, both longer than the t1/2of semaglutide (7.2 h and 46.1 h, literature values). Daily SC administration led to body weight loss that was significantly greater for MET-097 than for semaglutide and tirzepatide (all P values <0.001). At one-third the dose in DIO mice, MET-097 was equally effective as semaglutide and tirzepatide for body weight loss.
Conclusion: Preclinical characterization of MET-097 suggests best-in-class efficacy and an ultra-long t1/2 for MET-097. The long t1/2 of MET-097 may unlock versatile dosing options and scalability advantages due to superior weight loss per mg of peptide.
Additional documents
No documents were uploaded
Collaborate for development
Consider on a case by case basis, collaborating on developing long acting products with potential significant public health impact, especially for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), utilising the referred to long-acting technology
Share technical information for match-making assessment
Provide necessary technical information to a potential partner, under confidentiality agreement, to enable preliminary assessment of whether specific medicines of public health importance in LMICs might be compatible with the referred to long-acting technology to achieve a public health benefit
Work with MPP to expand access in LMICs
In the event that a product using the referred to long-acting technology is successfully developed, the technology IP holder(s) will work with the Medicines Patent Pool towards putting in place the most appropriate strategy for timely and affordable access in low and middle-income countries, including through licensing
Partnerships
No partner indicated
All sponsors
No sponsor indicated