Press release
Lexicon Pharmaceuticals Announces Publication of Preclinical Data in the Journal of the Endocrine Society on Acyl-CoA Synthetase 5 (ACSL5) Reinforcing the Scientific Rationale for LX9851
THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Dec. 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: LXRX) today announced the publication of preclinical data
About this update from Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Dec. 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: LXRX) today announced the publication of preclinical data validating Acyl-CoA Synthetase 5 (ACSL5) as a target for obesity and chronic weight management. The paper, titled “Acyl-CoA Synthetase 5 knockout and inhibitors protect against diet-induced obesity in mice by activating the ileal brake,” was published online in the Journal of the Endocrine Society. ACSL5 is an enzyme encoded by the Acsl5 gene that plays a vital role in lipid metabolism and is the target of LX9851, the Company’s investigational non-incretin, oral, small molecule ACSL5 inhibitor. Animal model data showed that mice genetically modified to lack the ACSL5 gene exhibited favorable metabolic characteristics, including reduced body fat and conserved lean body mass. In March 2025, Lexicon entered into an exclusive, worldwide licensing agreement for LX9851 with Novo Nordisk. “These preclinical findings validate our strategy of targeting ACSL5 for the development of new therapeutic options for people in need of obesity and weight management treatment and support the clinical advancement of LX9851,” said Craig Granowitz, M.D., Ph.D., Lexicon’s senior vice president and chief medical officer. “We see an opportunity for LX9851 to build on the success of incretin-based therapies as the obesity treatment landscape continues to evolve. With a novel mechanism, oral administration, strong preclinical results and possibility for both monotherapy and combination applications, we feel LX9851 has the potential to occupy a unique space in the treatment landscape for obesity and metabolic conditions. We look forward to continuing the work with Novo Nordisk to maximize the potential of this innovative medicine.” Preclinical Research FindingsLexicon scientists generated mice with the ACSL5 gene deleted (knocked out) globally. These ACSL5 knockout mice had lower body fat, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and blood glucose as well as conserved lean body mass compared with mice carrying the ACSL5 gene. Additionally, ACSL5 knockout mice had lower body weight and body fat while maintaining their lean body mass when fed a high-fat diet. Similar effects were also observed when potent, small molecule inhibitors of ACSL5 were administered orally to mice with diet-induced obesity. Mechanistic stud...