Encouraging Results Reported for Drug That Enhances Breakdown of Fat

Metabolic announced encouraging results from its Phase 2A human trial of orally administered AOD9604 for the treatment of obesity.

"This landmark result is the company's most important milestone achieved to date," said Chris Belyea, Managing Director of Metabolic.

AOD9604 acts on the body's fat cells to enhance the breakdown of stored fats and inhibit the synthesis of new fat. This result is biochemically similar to the effects of physical exercise. AOD9604 has proven effective in reducing obesity in laboratory animals, given once daily, with no effect on food intake.

"In all the trials performed so far, AOD9604 has consistently shown that humans respond to AOD9604 with increased fat metabolism, without side effects having been seen. This latest result provides key evidence that the oral activity shown in animals also applies to humans. We look forward with anticipation to forthcoming trials and our expectation is that AOD9604 will safely produce a meaningful weight reduction after daily oral dosing," said Belyea.

Increased average fat breakdown, in comparison to that of a placebo, was seen at all dose levels of AOD9604, lasting several hours after being taken.

Preparations are underway for a safety study of AOD9604 given once daily for one week that will be held before the end of 2002 in preparation for an extensive weight reduction study in 2003.

Other sources: Metabolic Pharmaceuticals Ltd.