The Hindu Business Line : Zydus files application for obesity drug

The Ahmedabad-based pharma major Cadila Healthcare Ltd (Zydus Cadila) has filed another IND (Investigational New Drug) application for the New Molecular Entity - ZYO1, a drug candidate for treating obesity and related disorders with the Drug Controller-General of India (DCGI).

ZYO1 is an experimental drug working through CB-1 mechanism, which will help obese patients lose weight, and also help in controlling blood sugar levels in type-2 diabetes. The drug could also have a role in protecting the heart, the company said in a release here.

The recently-concluded pre-clinical studies on ZYO1 have reported findings which indicate a molecule with superior pre-clinical profile and better safety profile. Mr Pankaj Patel, Chairman and Managing Director, Zydus Cadila, said, ZYO1, the fourth NCE, holds promising commercial potential due to unmet medical needs and absence of effective treatments for obesity and related disorders.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) describes obesity as "one of the greatest public health challenges of the 21st century". It is also a major risk factor for type-II diabetes and cardiovascular disease. According to a WHO estimate, more than one billion people worldwide are over-weight of which at least 300 million are clinically obese. Zydus Cadila plans to initiate Phase I clinical trials to ensure the safety and tolerability of ZYO1. Once the safety of the drug is established the company plans to develop it further to treat various cardio-metabolic risk factors in patients with obesity and prove its beneficial effects in improving HbA1c, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, systolic blood pressure and reducing waist circumference, the release added.

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