Positive Results for Phase 2 Trial of Antiobesity Compound

In the treatment of obesity, the compoundAPD356 manufactured by ArenaPharmaceuticals Inc yielded good resultsin a recent phase 2 clinical trial.The randomized, double-blind trial tookplace over 12 weeks and included 469male and female obese patients. Thepatients, whose body mass indexeswere between 29 and 46, receivedAPD356 in daily doses of 10 mg, 15 mg,20 mg (bid), or placebo. The compoundwas associated with statistically significantresults when compared withplacebo: the average weight loss was4.0, 5.7, and 7.9 lb at the 10-, 15-, and20-mg doses of APD356, respectively.The placebo group lost 0.7 lb. Four seriousadverse events were associatedwith the trial, with 2 occurring in theplacebo group, and the other 2 weredeemed preexisting conditions. Moremild adverse effects included headache,nausea, dizziness, and vomiting.Principal investigator Steven Smith, MD,commented: "The results of this trialare extremely encouraging and unambiguouslysupport further study ofAPD356. This trial demonstrated excellentweight loss, particularly consideringthere was no diet or exercise componentin this trial."

Ms. Farley is a freelance medicalwriter based in Wakefield, RI.