Scholar Rock data show promise for muscle-preserving combo with Zepbound

19 June 2025

Scholar Rock (Nasdaq: SRRK) has unveiled encouraging Phase II data for its experimental therapy apitegromab, showing the drug can reduce the amount of lean mass lost during weight reduction with Eli Lilly’s (NYSE: LLY) weight-loss drug Zepbound (tirzepatide).

In the EMBRAZE trial, patients who received apitegromab in combination with Zepbound experienced more fat loss and retained significantly more muscle than those given Zepbound with placebo. Over the 24-week treatment period, apitegromab preserved 4.2 pounds of lean mass — a 55% improvement over placebo — while both groups lost similar overall body weight.

No serious adverse events or discontinuations tied to apitegromab were reported, and the company described its safety profile as consistent with previous findings.

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