Zealand Pharma drug shows competitive results in obesity race

Zealand Pharma on Wednesday reported positive results from a mid-stage study of its experimental obesity drug, dapiglutide, showing an average body weight reduction of 11.6% over 28 weeks.

The result from the Phase 1b trial compares with a 0.2% weight decrease in participants who received a placebo, the Danish biotechnology company said.

The trial, which involved 30 participants and required no lifestyle modifications, adds to a series of positive data readouts for the company's obesity-focused pipeline, a key area since a strategic pivot to prioritize research and development in 2022.

“We are very encouraged by the impressive weight loss with dapiglutide after 28 weeks that appears on par with the most efficacious once-weekly GLP-1 receptor agonist-based therapy on the market today, despite the almost entirely male and relatively lean trial population,” Chief Medical Officer David Kendall said in a statement.

According to the company, dapiglutide is a dual-action drug targeting both GLP-1, a common target for weight-loss drugs, and GLP-2, which is designed to address obesity-related inflammation.

The treatment was assessed as safe and well-tolerated, with gastrointestinal side effects consistent with other drugs in its class, the company said.

Zealand Pharma has previously stated it plans to advance dapiglutide into a larger Phase 2b trial.