Roche sees positive results from weight-loss trials

(Sharecast News) - Roche reported positive trial results for its experimental weight loss treatment on Thursday, sending shares in the Swiss drugs group higher. Announcing the results from phase Ib trials of CT-388, the Basel-based firm said that over 24 weeks, the once-weekly injection had achieved "clinically meaningful and statistically significant" weight loss in healthy test subjects.

The mean placebo-adjusted weight loss achieved was 18.8%.

Levi Garraway, chief medical officer and head of global product development at Roche, said: "The results are highly encouraging for further development of CT-388 for both obesity and type 2 diabetes, and underscore its potential to become a best-in-class therapy with durable weight loss and glucose control."

As at 1115 BST, shares in Roche were trading 3% higher.

The weight loss sector is currently dominated by Novo Nordisk, with its drugs Wegovy and Ozempic, and Eli Lilly & Co's Zepbound.

Along with CT-388, the treatments belong to a new class of drug called GLP-1 agonists. Developed for type 2 diabetes, they reduce food cravings and cause the stomach to empty more slowly.

Analysts expect GLP-1 drugs to surpass cancer immunotherapies as the best-selling medicines as early as this year, according to Reuters.