MetaVia And Syntekabio Join Forces To Advance AI-Driven Drug Optimization For MASH and Diabetes

MetaVia Inc., a clinical-stage biotech company focused on cardiometabolic diseases, has entered a research collaboration with Syntekabio, Inc., a pioneer in AI-powered drug discovery. The partnership will leverage Syntekabio’s artificial intelligence platform to identify new disease targets and optimize the therapeutic profile of MetaVia’s lead candidate, DA-1241, a novel oral GPR119 agonist.

"The strong safety and tolerability profile shown in our Phase 2a data gives us confidence in DA-1241's broader therapeutic potential. Building on this clinical foundation, we are collaborating with Syntekabio to strategically expand the potential value of DA-1241. Specifically, we will leverage  their proprietary DeepMatcher® compound-protein interaction (CPI) AI prediction platform to conduct large-scale virtual screening against more than 1,700 validated protein targets to uncover new, high-potential indications while ensuring specificity and minimizing the risk of off-target effects. This data-driven approach will allow us to accelerate discovery and maximize the value of DA-1241. We believe this unique oral, well-tolerated candidate has the potential to address a range of unmet needs, and we look forward to initial insights from the collaboration later this year," stated Hyung Heon Kim, President and Chief Executive Officer of MetaVia. 

This collaboration builds on the promising Phase 2a results for DA-1241, which showed the compound to be safe, well-tolerated, and effective in reducing liver inflammation and improving glucose regulation in patients with presumed metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). DA-1241's mechanism of action stimulates the gut to release metabolic peptides such as GLP-1, GIP, and PYY, enhancing both liver and glucose health.

DA-1241 continues to show potential as both a monotherapy and a combination therapy for MASH and type 2 diabetes (T2D). It has demonstrated efficacy in preclinical models by reducing hepatic fat accumulation, inflammation, and fibrosis, while improving glucose metabolism. Previous clinical trials (Phase 1a, 1b, and 2a) reported a consistent safety profile and notable metabolic benefits, reinforcing MetaVia’s strategy to harness AI in accelerating its cardiometabolic pipeline.