Second obesity drug candidate from Roche shows early trial success

Following from its purchase of Carmot Therapeutics, Roche have announced positive early-stage trial success for its second obesity drug candidate acquired from Carmot Therapeutics.  

Though mild/moderate gastrointestinal side effects were observed in some patients, Roche have stated that these effects are not dissimilar to those seen in other weight-loss drugs. CT-996 may provide an alternative to obesity patients averse to regular injections. Roche’s drug product, if successful in its commercialisation, joins a long list of competitors to Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy and Ozempic drug products as companies race to release their own products in a booming obesity drug market. 

Chief Medical Officer of Roche Levy Garraway commented, “We are pleased to see the clinically meaningful weight loss in people treated with our oral GLP-1 therapy CT-996, which could eventually help patients address both chronic weight management and glycemic control indications.” Given the results in the first of three clinical trial phases, Roche have stated that CT-996 will advance to the second stage. Roche previously acquired another obesity drug candidate, known as CT-388, from the purchase of Carmo Therapeutics. CT-388 provides a similar self-administered injection as those of Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly’s products. 

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Roche touts early trials success of second obesity drug candidate [Accessed July 17, 2024] https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/roche-reports-positive-early-results-ct-966-obesity-drug-trial-2024-07-17/