Roche's experimental obesity drug delivers positive phase II results

Swiss pharmaceutical firm Roche ROG.S said on Tuesday that a phase II clinical trial of its experimental obesity drug CT-388, a once-weekly injection, had delivered positive results.

"The robust weight loss combined with a well-tolerated safety profile reinforces our confidence in the clinical development programme as we advance to Phase III trials," said Roche chief medical officer Levi Garraway in a statement.

The company expects to start Phase III trials this quarter.

Roche acquired the dual GLP-1/GIP receptor that is key to its ambitions to compete in the obesity drug market through its $2.7 billion purchase of U.S. biotech firm Carmot Therapeutics in late 2023.

The Swiss company aims to challenge dominant players Novo Nordisk NOVOb.CO and Eli Lilly LLY.N for a place in the fast-growing market that some analysts estimate will be worth $150 billion annually by the early 2030s.

It has six drug candidates in trials for the treatment of obesity and related conditions like type 2 diabetes and hypertension, which the company estimates could all be launched by 2030.

Roche forecasts three of them could become blockbusters with annual sales over $1 billion.

PHASE II RESULTS

Roche said its Phase II study found that the injection resulted in significant and clinically meaningful placebo-adjusted weight loss of 22.5% without reaching a weight loss plateau at 48 weeks.

The drug mimics the effect of two gut hormones - GLP-1 and GIP, which are key to regulating blood sugar and reducing appetite.

The study's full results will be presented at an upcoming medical congress.

-Miranda Murray/Reuters