Roche's obesity drug shows promising early results

Roche has reported promising results for its dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist, CT-388, from an early-stage study. The pharmaceutical giant revealed that participants experienced a mean placebo-adjusted weight loss of 18.8% after 24 weeks of treatment. This news led to a rise in Roche's shares by over 4% on Thursday. Levi Garraway, Roche's head of global product development, expressed optimism, stating that the significant and clinically meaningful weight loss results are highly encouraging for the further development of CT-388 for both obesity and type 2 diabetes.

The Phase I trial's outcomes are particularly noteworthy. At the 24-week mark, all participants who received the once-weekly subcutaneous injection of CT-388 achieved a minimum weight loss of 5%, while 85% managed to lose more than 10%, 70% shed over 15%, and 45% saw a weight loss exceeding 20%. The drug was generally well tolerated, with the most common side effects being mild-to-moderate gastrointestinal issues.

The ongoing multi-arm study is investigating CT-388’s effects on two groups: otherwise healthy adults who are overweight or obese, and individuals with obesity and type-2 diabetes mellitus. One significant finding from the trial was that all participants who had pre-diabetes at the beginning of the study became normoglycemic after 24 weeks of treatment with CT-388. In contrast, those who were given a placebo showed no significant changes in their glycemic status.

Roche added CT-388 to its portfolio earlier this year through the acquisition of Carmot Therapeutics, a transaction valued at $2.7 billion. This acquisition appears to be paying off, as the promising results from the early-stage study bolster Roche's belief that CT-388 could become a leading therapy for obesity and type 2 diabetes.

The promising data from the CT-388 study not only reflect the drug's potential efficacy but also pave the way for its further development. This could mark a significant advancement in the treatment options available for obesity and type 2 diabetes, conditions that affect millions worldwide. The medical community and investors alike are closely watching Roche's next steps as the company moves forward with the development of this potentially groundbreaking therapy.