Zealand, Roche's obesity drug helps patients lose up to 9.2% weight in mid-stage trial
Petrelintide helped patients with overweight or obesity and type 2 diabetes lose 7.4% to 9.2% of their body weight over 28 weeks, compared with 2% for placebo. The 220-patient trial met its main goal, and Zealand and Roche have started late-stage testing in about 7,000 people.
1. Trial results
The once-weekly petrelintide trial met its main goal, with patients losing 7.4% to 9.2% of their body weight after 28 weeks, depending on dose, compared with 2% for placebo. The drug lowered HbA1c by as much as 0.65%; the measure rose 0.23% among patients receiving placebo.
2. Side effects and testing
About 1.9% of patients taking petrelintide discontinued treatment because of gastrointestinal side effects, compared with 1.7% of those receiving placebo. Zealand said most gastrointestinal side effects were mild and occurred while doses were being increased. The companies have started late-stage testing in about 7,000 people, including people with and without type 2 diabetes and those with established cardiovascular disease.
3. Development deal
Zealand is developing petrelintide with Roche. Roche gained access to the drug through a collaboration and licensing deal worth up to $5.3 billion last year, with shared development rights to the therapy, which mimics amylin, a hormone co-secreted with insulin.
