PROLOR Biotech (AMEX:PBTH) announced Monday that its longer-acting anti-obesity drug, oxyntomodulin (OXY-RPEG), showed greater weight loss and reduced food intake in an animal study.
Oxyntomodulin is a naturally-occurring peptide hormone released by the digestive system. It indicates to the body the feeling of being "full" so as to reduce food intake, and increase energy expenditure following a meal. However, the hormone has a very short half-life, meaning that it doesn't take long for the substance to be consumed by half in the decaying process.
But PROLOR developed the longer-lasting OXY-PREG, which is a combination of the naturally occurring oxyntomodulin, with the company's Reversible PEGylation technology, designed to increase the half-life of therapeutic peptides and small molecules, enabling the dose to last longer.
The animal study examined the effect of OXY-RPEG injected once or twice weekly, compared to a twice daily injection of the naturally-occurring oxyntomodulin, when looking at weight loss and a reduction in food intake.
The trial showed that subjects injected with OXY-RPEG once or twice per week had significantly higher weight loss, reduced food intake and a longer duration of weight loss activity, compared to the twice daily oxyntomodulin.
The company said that OXY-RPEG also demonstrated greater potency, with the total dose administered over the week containing approximately 15% of the cumulative dose of oxyntomodulin injected during the same period.
"We believe that oxyntomodulin's natural role as an appetite suppressant and its anticipated favorable safety profile make it a promising potential weight loss therapy for the millions of obese patients who currently lack safe and effective treatment options," said CEO Dr. Abraham Havron.
The Nes Ziona, Israel-based company, whose stock on the AMEX was up 2.99% on Monday morning, trading at $5.16 per share, said it will use the positive results to initiate additional drugs using its technology.