A new amylin-based weight-loss drug, petrelintide, has demonstrated promising results in a phase 2 trial, according to findings published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology. The study involved 485 participants who received at least one dose of petrelintide or a placebo, alongside lifestyle advice.
After 28 weeks, participants in the petrelintide groups achieved an estimated average weight loss ranging from 7.9% to 9.8%, compared to 1.7% in the placebo group. Weight loss continued to 42 weeks in one dose group, reaching 10.7%, though this was a secondary result.
While the results are considered promising, Dr Marie Spreckley from the University of Cambridge noted that the trial did not directly compare petrelintide with GLP-1 medicines, making it impossible to conclude from these results that it causes fewer side effects. Nausea was reported by 20% of those taking petrelintide, compared to 6% in the placebo group, with vomiting and diarrhoea being uncommon. Three serious adverse events, including two cases of gallstones and one of obstructive pancreatitis, were considered related to petrelintide.
Larger and longer trials, including direct comparisons with existing treatments, are needed before claims about better tolerability can be made, Dr Spreckley added.