Artelo Biosciences has announced a strategic expansion opportunity for ART27.13 in muscle preservation for patients undergoing Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist therapy.

The initiative is supported by observations of a muscle protective effect in the CAReS trial when ART27.13 was given to patients with cancer anorexia and cachexia (shown by improvements in lean body mass and physical activity) and in pre-clinical research of cancer cachexia (reversal of myotoxic effects of cancer caused by CB2 activation) conducted by Professor Richard Porter at Trinity College Dublin, Ireland; publication of independent peer-reviewed research validating the differentiated pharmacology of ART27.13 compared to other CB2 agonists and supporting its potential utility in muscle preservation; filing of a provisional patent application covering the use of cannabinoid receptor agonism to prevent or mitigate muscle loss associated with GLP-1 therapy; and initiation of a non-clinical study to evaluate ART27.13 in models relevant to GLP-1-associated muscle preservation.

These positive early developments position ART27.13 as a potential companion therapy candidate for one of the most important and fastest-growing categories in biopharma.

JP Morgan recently projected the global incretin market, which includes GLP-1 medicines, could reach USD 200 billion by 2030, while estimating approximately 25 million Americans could be receiving GLP-1 treatment by 2030.

As use of GLP-1-based medicines continues to expand, published analyses have reported that loss of lean body mass may account for a meaningful proportion of total weight lost with GLP-1-based therapies, highlighting an unmet need for muscle preservation.

“GLP-1 medicines are reshaping the treatment landscape for obesity and metabolic disease, yet preservation of muscle and lean body mass remains a critical issue for patients, physicians and the industry,” said Dr Andrew Yates, Senior Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer (CSO), Artelo.

He further said, “We believe ART27.13 may represent a differentiated approach as a potential companion therapy in this setting. Based upon the results and analysis published in a recent independent research study, “Kinetic multiplex assay to assess biased signaling of clinical GPCR agonists,” wherein the authors described ART27.13 as a superagonist, we consider our GPCR drug candidate to have one of the most compelling pharmacologic profiles among the 17 clinically studied CB2 agonists. With new non-clinical research commencing and the recent filing of a patent application covering the use of CB2 agonists with GLP-1 drugs, we are aiming to build a scientific and strategic foundation with ART27.13 in an area of potentially significant commercial relevance.”

The announcement follows Artelo’s disclosure on 18^th March, 2026 that a third-party fully funded clinical study is planned to start in Q2 2026 to evaluate ART27.13 in Glaucoma patients, further illustrating the compound’s perceived versatility as a therapeutic treatment.

“Our strategy is to advance ART27.13 where the biology, clinical need and commercial opportunity intersect. The rapid adoption of GLP-1 therapies has created a large and increasingly visible need for solutions that may help address treatment-associated muscle loss. We believe Artelo is moving quickly to establish an early prominent role in what could become an important adjunct category within the GLP-1 treatment landscape,” said Gregory D Gorgas, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Artelo.