MSD drug ‘leads to weight loss’

Merck, Sharp and Dohme (MSD) has annonced the results of a phase III study of its investigational compound taranabant, which showed statistically significant weight loss when taken in combination with diet and exercise.

Presented at the annual scientific session of the American College of Cardiology, the data showed that patients taking 2 mg of the compound experienced over double the weight loss at 52 weeks compared to those administered with placebo.

Furthermore, over twice as many patients treated with the compound lost five per cent of their baseline body weight compared to those administered with placebo.

The primary endpoints of the study were the change in body eight from baseline and the change in proportion of patients with five and ten per cent reductions in body weight after one year.

John Amatruda, vice-president of clinical research in metabolic disorders at Merck Research Laboratories, said: ” Based on the benefit-risk considerations and the lack of a substantial improvement in the efficacy of taranabant at the 4mg and 6mg doses seen in our clinical program compared to the 2mg dose, we have decided to continue to evaluate taranabant in doses up to and including 2mg in our phase III studies”

He added that the company has a strong phase III clinical programme in place for this drug and is anticipating the further publication of results later in 2008.

In January 2008, MSD revealed the “clinical promise” of taranabant, while noting that some patients continued to show adverse effects, with patients receiving larger doses of the compound exhibiting significant psychiatric and gastrointestinal problems.