A new weight loss injection, CBL-514, has shown encouraging early evidence in reducing visceral fat volume in the abdominal region, according to a conference abstract presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) conference in Milan. Visceral fat, located around internal organs, is linked to conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.
Unlike current GLP-1 weight loss drugs that primarily reduce hunger, CBL-514 is designed to eliminate fat cells by inducing them to self-destruct. Human data from MRI scans indicated that CBL-514 treatment reduced fat around internal organs. Previous reports from the company also suggested a reduction in fat under the skin.
While these findings are considered positive, experts highlight several limitations. The study was a small subgroup analysis from two phase 2 studies, and a full journal paper for this analysis is not yet available. Concerns have also been raised about the potential impact on healthy fat stores and the accumulation of fat in other organs, such as the liver, which could lead to health problems.
The abstract also noted that the placebo group in the study was gaining weight and fat volume, which could accentuate the apparent effect of weight loss with CBL-514. Longer-term safety remains uncertain, although mostly mild-to-moderate, transient injection-site reactions and no serious adverse events were reported.