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News
Roche is making serious moves in the obesity drug race. Its experimental drug petrelintide (developed with Zealand Pharma) helped overweight or obese type 2 diabetes patients lose up to 9.2% of body weight in a mid-stage trial, while a separate Roche drug, enicepatide, drove 15.5% weight loss in a similar population — and 22.7% in patients without diabetes.
Roche is doubling down on the obesity market with two experimental drugs showing strong mid-stage results. In the most recent trial, petrelintide — developed with Zealand Pharma — helped overweight or obese patients with type 2 diabetes lose between 7.4% and 9.2% of their body weight after 28 weeks, compared to just 2% with placebo. The drug also improved blood sugar control, cutting HbA1c by up to 0.65%, while placebo patients saw levels rise. Side effects were minimal, with only 1.9% of petrelintide patients discontinuing due to gastrointestinal issues.
Separately, Roche's enicepatide — a dual GLP-1/GIP mimicker — delivered 15.5% weight loss in type 2 diabetes patients at 48 weeks, with 62% achieving non-diabetic blood sugar levels. In non-diabetic patients, enicepatide drove an impressive 22.7% weight loss, with over a quarter of those on the highest dose losing at least 30% of their body weight.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: With the obesity drug market projected to exceed $100 billion annually, Roche is positioning itself as a serious challenger to Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly. Two drugs with distinct mechanisms and strong early data could give Roche a competitive edge — and patients more options.
