MoaLifePlus Accelerates Preclinical Development of EL-32 Targeting Muscle Loss in Obesity Treatment

MoaLifePlus announced on March 25 that it has officially begun developing a pipeline tailored to the new trends in the global anti-obesity drug market. The company's out-licensed candidate substance, EL-32, has entered the preclinical stage through NorthStrive Biosciences in the United States.

Recently, the anti-obesity drug market has been growing rapidly worldwide. In particular, GLP-1 class therapeutics have demonstrated weight loss efficacy, leading to further market expansion. However, a key limitation is that fat loss during weight reduction is often accompanied by muscle loss. This has heightened interest in therapeutic approaches that can address this issue. As a result, strategies that go beyond simple weight loss to target both fat reduction and muscle preservation—so-called "body composition improvement"—are emerging as new competitive factors.

Amidst these trends, MoaLifePlus's EL-32 is a candidate substance designed to induce fat loss while minimizing muscle loss. It is gaining attention as an approach that addresses the limitations of existing therapies.

The preclinical research will be led by NorthStrive Biosciences in the United States. Using obese animal models, the study will compare the effects of EL-32 administered alone versus in combination with GLP-1 class therapeutics. The research aims to comprehensively analyze not only weight changes but also fat mass, muscle mass, and metabolic indicators to verify the potential for healthier weight loss. Key data are expected to be available in the second half of 2026.

This preclinical initiation is significant in that it aligns with the structural changes occurring in the anti-obesity drug market. The current market is rapidly shifting from a focus solely on weight loss to combination treatment strategies that minimize muscle loss. EL-32 is considered a pipeline that is in line with this new direction.

MoaLifePlus has already licensed this candidate substance to NorthStrive Biosciences, a subsidiary of PMGC Holdings in the United States. The company has established a structure that allows it to secure milestone revenues depending on the progress of development stages.

A company representative stated, "The anti-obesity drug market is rapidly evolving from a weight loss-centric approach to one focused on body composition improvement. EL-32 is a strategic pipeline that responds to these changes, and we will accelerate its development through collaboration with global partners."

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