Roche sees positive results from weight-loss trials

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.