Zafgen presents interim Phase II obesity data for beloranib

Zafgen Inc. (Cambridge, Mass.) presented data on Sunday from a pre-specified interim analysis of patients in a Phase IIa trial evaluating subcutaneous beloranib ( ZGN-440) to treat obesity. In the first 19 patients to complete 12 weeks of treatment, twice-weekly 0.6, 1.2 and 2.4 mg subcutaneous beloranib each led to significantly greater mean weight loss from baseline to week 12 vs. placebo. Low-dose beloranib led to a mean weight loss of 3.8 kg, mid-dose beloranib led to a mean weight loss of 6.1 kg and high-dose beloranib led to a mean weight loss of 9.9 kg compared to a mean weight gain of 1.8 kg for placebo (p<0.005 for all). Data were presented at the American Diabetes Association meeting in Chicago.

The trial is enrolling about 160 severely obese patients with and without Type II diabetes. Data from the complete Phase IIa trial are expected by year end. Zafgen said it plans to advance the product to into the next stages of development over the next 6-12 months, but declined to disclose details. ...