Lexicon Pharma Announces Publication Of Preclinical Data Validating Acyl-CoA Synthetase 5 As Target For Obesity And Chronic Weight Management

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.