Roche halts obesity antibody emugrobart after negative phase 2 interim readout

Roche has stopped development of its obesity antibody emugrobart after an interim analysis of a phase 2 trial indicated a low chance of meeting the study endpoints.

The antibody, designed to block myostatin and preserve muscle while patients lose weight, was being evaluated in the Gyminda trial together with a GLP-1 agent. Interim data showed insufficient efficacy to justify continuation.

Roche is returning the program to its Japanese subsidiary Chugai, which will keep developing the molecule for a rare genetic disease and seek potential partners. The drug had previously failed to demonstrate muscle growth benefits in trials for spinal muscular atrophy and facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy earlier this year.