Zealand Pharma reports positive Phase 2 results for obesity drug petrelintide

Zealand Pharma announced that its Phase 2 ZUPREME-2 trial in 220 overweight or obese patients with type 2 diabetes met its primary endpoint, showing up to 9.2% mean body‑weight loss versus 2.0% with placebo after 28 weeks. The trial also produced a placebo‑adjusted HbA1c reduction of up to 0.65% and a safety profile comparable to placebo, with discontinuation due to gastrointestinal events of 1.9% versus 1.7%. The company said the data support moving into a Phase 3 program together with Roche.

Zealand Pharma’s shares fell about 3% on the news, indicating market concern despite the positive data. The trial results open a path to Phase 3 registration trials, which could eventually create a new obesity‑diabetes therapy and affect the company’s future revenue potential.

  • 1The ZUPREME-2 trial enrolled 220 participants in the United States.
  • 2Mean body‑weight loss with petrelintide reached up to 9.2% at week 28, compared with 2.0% for placebo.
  • 3HbA1c reduction with petrelintide was up to 0.65% versus a 0.23% increase with placebo; placebo‑adjusted reduction ranged from 0.61% to 0.88%.
  • 4Discontinuation due to gastrointestinal adverse events was 1.9% for petrelintide and 1.7% for placebo.
  • 5Zealand Pharma’s shares fell about 3% after the announcement.
  • 6Zealand and Roche have initiated a Phase 3a program comprising three trials expected to enroll roughly 7,000 participants.

Sources