Hello, everyone, and how are you today? We are just fine, thank you, despite the frigid temperature and cold winds wafting across the Pharmalot campus, where our official mascots are, thankfully, snoozing away in a nearby corner. As for us, we are going about our usual business — foraging for interesting and saucy items, and brewing a cup of stimulation. Our choice today is Vermont maple walnut. Please feel free to join us. On that note, here are a few tidbits to help you get going this morning. As always, we wish you luck on your journey, and, of course, please do keep in touch. …
Roche plans to launch Phase 3 studies of its leading obesity candidate this quarter after reporting that the drug led to significant weight loss in a mid-stage trial, STAT says. The drug, known as CT-388, led to a placebo-adjusted weight loss of 18.3% after 48 weeks in the Phase 2 trial at the highest dose tested of 24 milligrams. The outcomes suggest CT-388 could be competitive with existing treatments. Roche is looking to establish an obesity franchise with several drug candidates under development that it aims to launch as standalone or combination treatments, with the goal of becoming a top-three player in the market. It acquired experimental weight loss medicines in injection and pill forms through its purchase of Carmot Therapeutics, and struck a licensing deal with Zealand Pharma to co-develop another therapy.
AstraZeneca and GSK, both of which are based in the U.K., will join British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on his trip to China this week, as Britain seeks to strengthen ties with Beijing at a time of strained relations with Washington, Reuters reports. AstraZeneca’s chief executive officer Pascal Soriot and GSK’s board chair Jonathan Symonds were expected to be on the business delegation. The trip comes amid tensions between Britain and its traditional closest ally, the U.S., over President Trump’s unpredictable approach to trade and defense. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney also visited Beijing this month and hailed improving ties with China. AstraZeneca has operated in China for more than 30 years and has invested billions of dollars there during Soriot’s tenure since 2012. GSK has a smaller presence. Western drugmakers increasingly view China not only as a large sales market but also as a rapidly rising source of biotech innovation.Continue to STAT+ to read the full story…