Hoth Therapeutics Reveals HT-VA GDNF’s Superior Weight Loss Results

Hoth Therapeutics, Inc. has announced promising preclinical results for its innovative treatment HT-VA GDNF, which outperformed semaglutide in critical measures related to obesity and metabolic health. In a study supported by the United States Veterans Administration, the glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) showed significant advantages in weight stabilization, glucose tolerance, and liver health.

The groundbreaking findings were revealed on February 10, 2026, highlighting GDNF’s potential to address the limitations associated with current GLP-1 agonists, such as gastrointestinal side effects and muscle loss. This positions GDNF as a potentially transformative solution in the global obesity market, which is valued at approximately $200 billion.

Key Findings from the Study

In a head-to-head preclinical comparison conducted at the Srinivasan Lab, GDNF demonstrated its superior efficacy over semaglutide, the active component of popular weight loss medications like Wegovy® and Ozempic®. The study utilized CF-1 mice to model human obesity, administering GDNF via subcutaneous injections at escalating doses.

Notable outcomes included:

– **Weight Management**: GDNF reduced weight gain in female mice on a high-fat diet by 10-15%, leading to a stabilization of weight that was not observed with semaglutide, which showed no significant impact. Researchers suggest that longer treatment durations or higher doses may enhance GDNF’s effectiveness.

– **Glucose Metabolism**: The treatment normalized fasting glucose levels and improved responses to glucose challenges, outperforming semaglutide in female subjects. Improvements were also evident in male models, indicating broader metabolic benefits.

– **Liver and Adipose Health**: GDNF led to a 20-30% reduction in liver weight and effectively prevented adipose tissue accumulation in female mice, surpassing the effects of semaglutide. This is particularly significant given the rising incidence of metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), which affects up to 30% of adults globally.

The Path Forward for GDNF

Robb Knie, CEO of Hoth Therapeutics, emphasized the significance of these results, stating, “GDNF not only matched but exceeded semaglutide in critical areas, opening doors to a new era of safer, more effective therapies.” As the company plans to advance GDNF toward Investigational New Drug (IND) enabling studies, clinical trials are targeted for 2027.

This research builds on earlier findings that highlighted GDNF’s protective role against diet-induced obesity. Future studies will delve deeper into liver pathology, lipid content, and gene/protein expression to further clarify the mechanisms behind GDNF’s effectiveness.

Hoth Therapeutics is not only focused on the GDNF program but also has a diverse pipeline that includes HT-001, currently in Phase 2 for cancer-related skin toxicities, HT-KIT, which has received Orphan Drug Designation for mast cell cancers, and HT-ALZ aimed at Alzheimer’s disease.

With obesity affecting over 1 billion people worldwide, the implications of GDNF’s success could be profound, offering a new pathway to improve health outcomes for millions. As the company continues its research and development efforts, stakeholders remain hopeful for advancements that could reshape therapies in obesity and related health conditions.

For further information, please visit the official Hoth Therapeutics website at https://ir.hoththerapeutics.com/.