The story

Altimmune reported positive results from its Phase 2 RECLAIM trial evaluating pemvidutide as a treatment for moderate to severe alcohol use disorder. The trial met its primary endpoint, showing a statistically significant reduction in heavy drinking days versus placebo. Patients treated with pemvidutide 2.4 mg reduced heavy drinking days by an average of 4.20 days per week from baseline after 24 weeks, compared with a reduction of 2.75 days in the placebo group, a difference of 1.45 days.

The study enrolled 100 patients, with 50 receiving pemvidutide 2.4 mg and 50 receiving placebo. Key secondary endpoints were also met, with 64.4% of pemvidutide patients achieving a two-level reduction in World Health Organization Risk Drinking Levels compared with 34.8% in the placebo group. Additionally, 42.2% of pemvidutide patients recorded zero heavy drinking days between weeks 21 and 24, compared with 17.4% receiving placebo.

The treatment was generally well tolerated, with most adverse events reported as mild to moderate. Nausea was experienced by 44% of pemvidutide patients compared with 24% in the placebo group, while vomiting occurred in 18% and 6% respectively. Treatment discontinuation rates were 20% for pemvidutide and 22% for placebo. Altimmune plans to request an end-of-Phase 2 meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The company's shares jumped, rising 9.5% to $3.24 in premarket trading according to one outlet, or 18% on Tuesday according to another.