Zealand's amylin analog shows strong weight loss but weak blood-sugar control in phase 2 trial

Zealand Pharma, in partnership with Roche, released topline results from its mid‑phase Zupreme‑2 study of petrelintide, an amylin‑based candidate aimed at patients with overweight or obesity and type 2 diabetes.

The trial, which enrolled 220 participants, reported mean weight loss of up to 9.2% after 28 weeks on the highest dose, compared with 2% on placebo. This magnitude of loss approaches the 9.8% seen in an earlier phase 2 study that excluded diabetic patients.

However, the same data showed a modest impact on blood‑sugar metrics, falling short of expectations and lagging behind competing amylin‑based agents. Analysts noted that the placebo‑adjusted weight loss matched Eli Lilly's phase 2 results for eloralintide, but the glycemic performance was less favorable.

William Blair analysts described the weight‑loss findings as “intriguing,” while cautioning that the limited glucose benefit could affect the drug’s competitive positioning in the crowded obesity‑diabetes market.