Endocrinology Today—March 3, 2026

This week’s Endocrinology update highlights regulatory approvals, Phase 3 metabolic data, pediatric growth expansions, funding momentum, and legal activity shaping access and innovation.

In Today’s Newsletter

Dive deeper

🏥 Zandra Healthcare opens AI-driven metabolic centre [1] [India • 26 Feb 2026]

https://www.healthcareexecutive.in/blog/obesity-and-diabetes
Context: Metabolic clinic model includes point-of-care testing (HbA1c, lipids, kidney and liver panels, TSH, cardiac markers listed), plus foot biomechanics, sleep testing, and “gut health” services.
Key point: Zandra Healthcare announced a holistic Metabolic Health Centre aimed at obesity, diabetes, and complications, framed as AI-driven “predictive care.”
Implication: Access programs: May expand screening, initiation, and follow-up at scale.

💧 FDA OKs Desmoda oral solution for central diabetes insipidus [2] [US • 02 Mar 2026]

https://www.neurologyadvisor.com/news/fda-approves-desmoda-oral-solution-for-central-diabetes-insipidus/
Context: Approval supported by an open-label, single-dose, 3-way crossover bioequivalence study in 75 healthy adults (PK bioequivalence to an FDA-approved oral desmopressin reference).
Key point: FDA approved Desmoda (desmopressin acetate) oral solution for adults and pediatric patients with central diabetes insipidus as antidiuretic replacement therapy.
Implication: Regulatory/generics: Introduces competition that may affect pricing and formulary access.

💊 Orforglipron beats oral semaglutide in Phase 3 report [3] [02 Mar 2026]

https://www.sciencealert.com/new-ozempic-style-pill-outperformed-oral-semaglutide-in-major-trial
Context: Report describes Phase 3 ACHIEVE-3 (n=1,698; 131 sites; 1-year follow-up), comparing once-daily orforglipron vs semaglutide tablets, and noting higher GI events and discontinuations for orforglipron.
Key point: An Eli Lilly-funded team reported orforglipron (oral GLP-1) was non-inferior and superior to oral semaglutide on glycaemic control and weight reduction in type 2 diabetes.
Implication: Clinical topline/efficacy: May influence prescriber choice and payer reviews pending full data.

💰 MTPConnect opens medtech funding round for heart disease and diabetes [4] [Australia • 02 Mar 2026]

https://biomelbourne.org/mtpconnect-opens-new-funding-round-to-accelerate-innovation-in-heart-disease-and-diabetes/
Context: Targeted Translation Research Accelerator (TTRA) round backed by the Medical Research Future Fund, up to A$1m non-dilutive with required cash co-contribution, EOI open until 30 Mar 2026, webinar 04 Mar 2026 (AEDT).
Key point: MTPConnect opened expressions of interest for Australian SMEs developing devices for cardiovascular disease and diabetes complications.
Implication: Partnerships/BD: Signals pipeline investment and modality expansion.

🧬 SAB Biotherapeutics details SAB-142 “redosable” human ATG plan in T1D [5] [02 Mar 2026]

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/sab-biotherapeutics-pitches-sab-142-194357343.html
Context: Company described Phase IIb SAFEGUARD in newly diagnosed Stage 3 T1D (ages 5–40), dosing every six months, primary endpoint 1-year C-peptide (topline timing described as H2 2027).
Key point: SAB Biotherapeutics positioned SAB-142 as a fully human anti-thymocyte globulin intended to preserve beta cell function, emphasizing redosing and tolerability claims vs rabbit ATG (per company comments).
Implication: Clinical topline/efficacy: May influence prescriber choice and payer reviews pending full data.

🧒 FDA OKs once-weekly Sogroya for more pediatric growth indications [6] [US • 27 Feb 2026]

https://www.contemporarypediatrics.com/view/fda-approves-once-weekly-sogroya-for-children-with-growth-disorders
Context: Approval for children ≥2.5 years with ISS, SGA without catch-up growth by age 2, and growth failure with Noonan syndrome, referencing REAL8 sub-studies and week 52 outcomes (non-inferiority vs daily somatropin reported).
Key point: FDA approved Novo Nordisk’s once-weekly somapacitan-beco (Sogroya) for three additional pediatric growth indications in the US.
Implication: Access programs: May expand screening, initiation, and follow-up at scale.

⚖️ Xeris Biopharma files patent suit tied to Recorlev [7] [26 Feb 2026]

https://www.geneonline.com/xeris-biopharma-files-patent-infringement-lawsuit-over-recorlev-used-for-endogenous-cushings-syndrome/
Context: Story describes a patent infringement lawsuit filed by Xeris Biopharma subsidiaries related to formulation and use patents for Recorlev (endogenous Cushing’s syndrome), specific defendants not detailed.
Key point: Xeris Biopharma initiated legal action alleging infringement of patents associated with Recorlev. Implication: Regulatory/generics: Introduces competition that may affect pricing and formulary access.

🧪 Thyroid cancer study links DNA methylation to metabolic pathway changes [8] [26 Feb 2026]

https://www.geneonline.com/study-links-dna-methylation-to-metabolic-pathway-alterations-in-thyroid-cancer/
Context: GeneOnline summary cites a paper in Cell Death Discovery (Feb 2026), describing links between DNA methylation and metabolic pathway alterations in thyroid cancer (methods and cohorts not specified in the excerpt).
Key point: Researchers reported an association between DNA methylation patterns and metabolic pathway changes in thyroid cancer, suggesting mechanistic links relevant to tumor progression (details not specified).
Implication: Observational/RWE: Could inform practice and payer discussions; interpretation depends on study design and confounding control.

Why It Matters

Oral and long-acting endocrine options (orforglipron, Desmoda, Sogroya) may shift adherence, dosing flexibility, and payer evaluation, but full datasets and labeling details drive adoption. [2] [3] [6]
Device and diagnostic capacity, plus non-dilutive funding, can accelerate cardiometabolic innovation outside therapeutics, especially for complication management. [1] [4]
Immunomodulation in newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes remains a high-stakes area, with endpoint selection (C-peptide) and tolerability shaping the registrational path. [5]
IP actions in rare endocrine disorders can affect market access timing and competitive dynamics. [7]
Cancer metabolism work continues to connect epigenetics and metabolic reprogramming, supporting target discovery narratives, but impact depends on study specifics. [8]

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FAQ

What exactly did FDA approve for central diabetes insipidus in this update?

FDA approved Desmoda (desmopressin acetate) oral solution for adults and pediatric patients with central diabetes insipidus, supported by PK bioequivalence to an existing oral desmopressin reference product. [2]

What trial is cited for orforglipron vs oral semaglutide, and what did it claim?

The report describes Phase 3 ACHIEVE-3 in type 2 diabetes, stating once-daily orforglipron outperformed semaglutide tablets on glycaemic control and weight reduction, with higher GI events and discontinuations. [3]

Which new pediatric indications were added for Sogroya (somapacitan-beco)?

The article reports FDA approval for children ≥2.5 years with idiopathic short stature, short stature born small for gestational age without catch-up growth by age 2, and growth failure associated with Noonan syndrome. [6]

What is SAB-142, and how is SAFEGUARD designed (as described in the source)?

SAB-142 is described as a fully human anti-thymocyte globulin intended to preserve beta cell function. SAFEGUARD is described as a global Phase IIb study in newly diagnosed Stage 3 T1D (ages 5–40), dosing every six months, primary endpoint 1-year C-peptide. [5]

What funding is MTPConnect offering, and for what scope?

MTPConnect opened EOIs for non-dilutive device funding (up to A$1m) for Australian SMEs developing medtech for cardiovascular disease and diabetes complications, with a required cash co-contribution. [4]

Entities / Keywords

Zandra Healthcare, Metabolic Health Centre, AI-driven precision, point-of-care lab, “predictive care,” diabetic foot risk, polysomnography [1]
Desmoda (desmopressin acetate), Eton Pharmaceuticals, central diabetes insipidus, bioequivalence, Anovo specialty pharmacy [2]
Orforglipron, Eli Lilly, GLP-1, ACHIEVE-3, oral semaglutide, type 2 diabetes, GI adverse events [3]
MTPConnect, Targeted Translation Research Accelerator (TTRA), Medical Research Future Fund, cardiovascular disease, diabetes complications, medtech funding [4]
SAB Biotherapeutics, SAB-142, fully human ATG, SAFEGUARD, Stage 3 type 1 diabetes, C-peptide [5]
Sogroya (somapacitan-beco), Novo Nordisk, idiopathic short stature, small for gestational age, Noonan syndrome, once-weekly growth hormone [6]
Xeris Biopharma, Recorlev (levoketoconazole), patent infringement, endogenous Cushing’s syndrome [7]
DNA methylation, thyroid cancer, metabolic pathways, Cell Death Discovery [8]