Big Pharma Just Put Peptides Back on the Map - Which Players Are Still Under the Radar?

When news broke that Johnson & Johnson was in talks to acquire Protagonist Therapeutics (NASDAQ:PTGX), the stock surged before trading was halted for volatility. Whether or not the deal closes, the signal to investors was unmistakable: peptides are back. Long viewed as hard to develop, lacking bioavailability when taken orally and more complex than biologics, they've proven their commercial power through GLP-1 blockbusters like Wegovy, Rybelsus and Zepbound - medicines that are now addressing a billion patients with major chronic metabolic conditions, and now dominate the multi billion dollar diabetes and weight-loss markets. In short, the advent of peptide therapeutics has been redefined.

Now, Big Pharma and investors alike are taking notice. AstraZeneca's 2024 acquisition of Amolyt for $1.05 billion, the rapid rise of Ascendis Pharma, and Zealand Pharma's multi-billion-dollar partnership with Roche for its injectable peptide obesity pipeline all underscore a clear trend: peptides are no longer niche science - they're strategic territory. With investors now asking who's next, Entera Bio (NASDAQ:ENTX) is quickly emerging as a standout. Its proprietary N-Tab Trademark platform transforms high-value peptide drugs into easy-to-take tablets - supported by late-stage data in osteoporosis, a clear FDA path, and the right timing to capture an untapped chronic-patient market.

A Tablet That Builds Bone

Osteoporosis affects more than 200 million women worldwide, more than heart attack, breast cancer and stroke combined, yet most patients remain untreated. The main reason is simple: current bone-building treatments require daily injections, while the available oral drugs (mostly bisphosphonates) only slow bone loss and often cause stomach irritation often resulting in patients stopping to take them. Entera Bio's lead drug, EB613, could change that. It's designed to be the first oral therapy that actually builds bone using the same active ingredient as Eli Lilly's (NYSE:LLY) daily injectable Forteo (teriparatide). Through Entera's proprietary N-Tab technology, EB613 delivers teriparatide as a convenient tablet - offering the strength of an anabolic (bone-building) drug without being dependent on daily injections.

In its Phase 2 clinical trial, EB613 improved bone strength and density within six months - results published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research in April 2024. The FDA has since allowed Entera to use hip bone mineral density (BMD) as the primary endpoint for its Phase 3 registrational trial, streamlining the approval path.

The timing couldn't be better. As weight-loss drugs redefine metabolic health, doctors are warning that rapid weight reduction can also accelerate bone loss. That's creating a whole new patient base and demand for convenient therapies that protect and rebuild bone - exactly where Entera fits in.

It also seems fitting that leading the Entera's charge is Board Member and CEO Miranda Toledano, one of biotech's most respected female executives, with more than 25 years of experience spanning Wall Street, Royalty Pharma, and senior operational roles. Her combination of financial discipline,clinical insight and attracting a first class team gives Entera the steady execution investors look for as it heads toward Phase 3.

Platform Potential Beyond Osteoporosis

Entera's N-Tab technology, the same platform behind EB613, could reshape how peptide drugs are delivered far beyond bone health. The company is already advancing EB612, a tablet for hypoparathyroidism, a rare endocrine disorder that leaves patients with dangerously low calcium levels. In an early phase 2 clinical study which was published in JBMR in 2021, EB612 helped stabilize calcium and reduced patients' dependence on supplements, showing how the platform can turn injectable hormones into simple oral therapies.

Entera is also collaborating with OPKO Health, a major player with a long-standing partnership with Pfizer. Together, they're developing next-generation oral GLP-1 and GLP-2 therapies, including an oxyntomodulin (OXM) candidate targeting obesity and related metabolic disorders - one of the most active areas of investment in biotech today. The partnership expands Entera's reach well beyond bone health, placing it squarely at the crossroads of three powerful trends shaping the industry: metabolic peptides, musculoskeletal health, and longevity - all driven by demand for convenient, patient-friendly treatments that improve long-term health outcomes.

Up to the Moment

Even after a recent rally, Entera's market cap stands at just around ~$107 million (as of October 20th 2025) - a fraction of what some other peptide developers command. Peers developing peptide therapies at similar or earlier stages now command multi-billion-dollar valuations or have already been acquired - highlighting how overlooked Entera remains by comparison. That disconnect may not last long as the market starts looking for what's next in the peptide story. Entera checks several boxes that investors now seem to value: a late-stage program with clear regulatory guidance, scarcity value as the only Phase 3 oral bone-building therapy in development, a validated platform, leadership with deep financial and clinical expertise, and exposure to two of the most durable themes in healthcare - women's health and longevity.

The company's timing couldn't be better. The Protagonist headlines may prove to be this cycle's turning point for peptide biotech - much like Gilead's Kite Pharma deal was for cell therapy. For investors watching the ripple effects, Entera Bio stands out as a company with credible data, experienced leadership, and a platform that could unlock a new generation of oral peptide drugs. If 2024 was the year of the GLP-1, 2025 could be the year peptides go mainstream - and Entera Bio is one of the names to watch as that shift unfolds.

Recent News Highlights from Entera:

Entera Bio to Present New Clinical Data from Phase 2 Trial of EB613 at the 2025 North American Menopause Society (NAMS) Annual Meeting [https://finance.yahoo.com/news/entera-bio-present-clinical-data-124500930.html]

Entera Bio Reports Positive PK Data for First-in-Class Oral GLP-2 Tablet Treatment for Patients with Short Bowel Syndrome at the 2025 ESPEN Congress [https://finance.yahoo.com/news/entera-bio-present-clinical-data-124500930.html]

Entera Bio Presents Positive Effects of EB613 on Both Trabecular and Cortical Bone in Postmenopausal Women with Osteoporosis at ASBMR 2025 [https://finance.yahoo.com/news/entera-bio-presents-positive-effects-123000337.html]

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