CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., and SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Oct. 19, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Rivus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on advancing cardiometabolic health, today announced the presentation of preclinical NHP obesity data from RV-8451, a novel, muscle-preserving, oral small molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist at The Obesity Society’s 44th Annual Meeting at ObesityWeek® 2026 being held November 14-17, 2026 in Washington, DC. 

“We are excited to present preclinical data for RV-8451, the first oral GLP-1 that has demonstrated muscle preservation,” said Shaharyar Khan, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer of Rivus Pharmaceuticals. “The data we are presenting at ObesityWeek ® build on our prior data and reinforce RV-8451’s potential to deliver fat-specific weight loss while preserving muscle, which has not yet been achieved before with a GLP-1. We look forward to submitting our IND for RV-8451 in chronic weight management in the first quarter of 2027 to advance our highly-differentiated GLP-1 into the clinic.”

Presentation details are as follows:

ObesityWeek®, November 14-17, 2026 in Washington, DC

Abstract Title: RV-8451, a Pre-Clinical, Muscle-Preserving GLP-1R NPA, Outperforms Orforglipron in Obesity Models
Room: Gaylord National Resort & Convention Ctr: Exhibit Hall BCD
Format: Poster
Presenter: Sol Collado, PhD, Executive Director, Drug Discovery, Rivus Pharmaceuticals
Presentation Date and Time: Saturday, November 14, 2026, 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. ET

Abstract Title: Rescuing Lean Mass: GLP-1R NPA RV-8451 Reverses Orforglipron-Induced Muscle Loss in DIO Mouse Model
Room: Gaylord National Resort & Convention Ctr: Exhibit Hall BCD
Format: Poster
Presenter: Shaharyar Khan, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer, Rivus Pharmaceuticals
Presentation Date and Time: Sunday, November 15, 2026, 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. ET

Abstract Title: Beyond Caloric Restriction: RV-8451 GLP-1R NPA Drives Fat-Specific Weight Loss in a DIO Mouse Model
Room: Gaylord National Resort & Convention Ctr: Exhibit Hall BCD
Format: Poster
Presenter: Melissa Luse, Senior Research Scientist, Rivus Pharmaceuticals
Presentation Date and Time: Sunday, November 15, 2026, 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. ET

Poster session details are available from ObesityWeek’s Online Planner.

Following the sessions, a copy of the presentation and poster will be accessible under “Publications” in the Pipeline section of  Rivus’ website.

About RV-8451 

RV-8451 is Rivus’ highly-differentiated, oral, small molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist in preclinical development for obesity. RV-8451 is the first muscle-preserving, oral non-peptide GLP-1 agonist, designed to deliver high-quality, fat-selective, durable weight loss with convenient oral dosing. Rivus plans to submit an Investigational New Drug (IND) application to advance RV-8451 into a Phase 1 clinical trial in obesity.

About Rivus Pharmaceuticals
Rivus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on advancing cardiometabolic health. The company’s lead candidate, HU6, is a potential best-in-class oral therapeutic to treat MASH currently advancing in the Phase 2 AMPLIFY trial. Rivus is also advancing RV-8451, the first muscle-preserving, oral GLP-1, in preclinical development to treat obesity. Rivus’ proprietary platform is focused on developing oral medicines that are designed to deliver improved and sustained cardiometabolic health. Follow Rivus on LinkedIn and X and visit www.rivuspharma.com.


Company Contact:
Amy Figueroa, CFA
Rivus Pharmaceuticals
afigueroa@rivuspharma.com

Primary Logo

Media gallery

About The Author