Zealand and Roche’s Next-Gen Obesity Drug Hits 9% Weight Loss With Minimal GI Side Effects

Zealand Pharma and Roche reported that their experimental once-weekly drug, petrelintide, helped overweight and diabetic patients lose between 7.4% and 9.2% of their body weight in a 28-week mid-stage trial. The therapy mimics amylin rather than GLP-1, pushing HbA1c levels down by 0.65% while minimizing severe stomach issues for patients. Gastrointestinal side effects triggered a discontinuation rate of just 1.9%, nearly identical to the 1.7% dropout rate observed in the placebo control group. Roche originally acquired shared development rights to the therapy last year through a collaboration and licensing deal valued at up to $5.3B. Late-stage testing is now underway in roughly 7,000 patients, as the partnership attempts to carve out space in a market where Eli Lilly Captures 70% of New Medicare GLP-1 Patients as 700,000 Seniors Start Weight Loss Drugs.