Roche Announces Positive Results for New Oral GLP-1 Obesity Drug
Krissy Vann | Host, All Things Fitness and Wellness
Roche has announced positive results from two parts of its ongoing Phase I clinical trial for CT-996, a new once-daily oral medication aimed at treating type 2 diabetes and obesity. This announcement follows Roche’s recent $2.7 billion acquisition of Carmot Therapeutics, which is already yielding promising outcomes.
The trial showed that participants with obesity, who did not have type 2 diabetes, experienced a significant weight loss of 6.1% compared to those who took a placebo, within just four weeks. Obesity is a major health issue worldwide, linked to various diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, liver disease, and chronic kidney disease. Nearly half of the global population is expected to be overweight or obese by 2035.
Dr. Levi Garraway, Roche’s Chief Medical Officer, expressed satisfaction with the trial results, highlighting the potential of CT-996 to address chronic weight management and blood sugar control.
CT-996 was well tolerated by participants, with most experiencing only mild to moderate gastrointestinal issues. There were no discontinuations due to the drug, and its effectiveness was not affected by meal timings, offering flexible dosing options. The positive results from this Phase I trial pave the way for CT-996 to move into Phase II clinical development. This drug could potentially be used for both weight loss and maintenance, as well as glycaemic control.
Despite various available treatments, obesity and its related health issues remain underdiagnosed and undertreated. Therapies that target gut hormones like incretins, which are released after eating and help regulate blood sugar and appetite, are a promising area of research. Emerging scientific data show that incretins may have broader effects in multiple organs, including the liver, heart, and brain, suggesting they could play a more comprehensive role in managing metabolic health.
The CT-996-201 trial is a multi-phase study evaluating the safety, tolerability, and effectiveness of CT-996 in overweight or obese adults, both with and without type 2 diabetes. The study consists of multiple parts, including single and multiple dose evaluations, with Phase II expected to start later this year. CT-996 is a small molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist designed to improve blood sugar control and promote weight loss. It differs from natural GLP-1 by targeting specific pathways to enhance its effectiveness and tolerability.
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