The competitive landscape for innovative weight-loss medications intensified on Thursday as Roche Holding AG unveiled promising early-stage trial results for its experimental obesity treatment, CT-388.
The investigational drug, administered via a once-weekly injection, demonstrated an average weight reduction of 18.8% after six months of treatment, according to a company statement. Roche reported that all participants treated with CT-388 experienced at least a 5% reduction in body weight, with nearly half achieving a weight loss exceeding 20%.
Jefferies analysts noted in a Thursday report that the “weight loss results are encouraging,” suggesting that CT-388’s efficacy could rival that of existing treatments such as Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy (NVO, -0.86%) and other drugs under development. However, the analysts emphasized that further research is necessary to contextualize these results fully, cautioning that “there is still a long road ahead.”
Roche’s CT-388 operates by targeting two gut hormones, GLP-1 and GIP, akin to Eli Lilly & Co.’s Zepbound, which gained U.S. regulatory approval for obesity treatment late last year. This mechanism is integral to the drug’s potential effectiveness in addressing both obesity and Type 2 diabetes. In a subgroup of trial participants with pre-diabetes, CT-388 successfully normalized blood sugar levels across all patients, a notable outcome highlighted by Roche.
Despite these promising results, the trial did observe some mild to moderate gastrointestinal side effects among patients, a common issue associated with this new class of weight-loss medications. These side effects underscore the necessity for ongoing monitoring and evaluation as the drug progresses through clinical trials.
Additional data from the ongoing phase 1 trial, which focuses on individuals with obesity and Type 2 diabetes, are anticipated in the latter half of this year, according to Roche. This forthcoming information will be critical in further assessing CT-388’s safety and efficacy profile.
In the financial markets, Roche’s American depositary receipts (RHHBY, +0.49%) saw a premarket increase of 3.5% on Thursday. However, the company’s stock has experienced a 13.3% decline year-to-date, reflecting broader market dynamics and investor sentiment.
As Roche advances its development of CT-388, the company is poised to make significant contributions to the evolving landscape of obesity and diabetes treatments. The ongoing trials and subsequent data will be pivotal in determining the drug’s potential to meet the high efficacy and safety standards required for regulatory approval and market success.
