Beloranib is a former drug candidate for the treatment of obesity. It was discovered by CKD Pharmaceuticals and its clinical development was led by Zafgen.[1]Drug development was halted in 2016 after deaths during clinical trials.[2]
Mechanism of action
Beloranib, an analog of the natural chemical compound fumagillin, is an inhibitor of the enzyme METAP2.[3] It was originally designed as angiogenesis inhibitor for the treatment of cancer.[4] However, once the potential anti-obesity effects of METAP2 inhibition became apparent, the clinical development began to focus on these effects and beloranib has shown positive results in preliminary clinical trials for this indication.[5]
Clinical trials
A Phase I trial was published in 2013,[6] finding a dose that led to weight loss in obese women in comparison to placebo. Results from a Phase II clinical trial for obesity were promising with clinically meaningful weight loss and improvements in cardiometabolic risk factors in the treated group.[7] Zafgen continued with a Phase III trial for Prader–Willi syndrome.[8]
In December 2015, Zafgen halted the Phase III clinical trial of beloranib for Prader–Willi syndrome after a second patient death in order to determine whether the deaths were treatment-related.[9] After discussions with the Food and Drug Administration indicated that the obstacles to gaining approval were insurmountable, product development for beloranib was ended.[2]
^Hughes TE, Kim DD, Marjason J, Proietto J, Whitehead JP, Vath JE (September 2013). "Ascending dose-controlled trial of beloranib, a novel obesity treatment for safety, tolerability, and weight loss in obese women". Obesity. 21 (9): 1782–8. doi:10.1002/oby.20356. PMID23512440. S2CID2352854.
^Kim DD, Krishnarajah J, Lillioja S, de Looze F, Marjason J, Proietto J, et al. (June 2015). "Efficacy and safety of beloranib for weight loss in obese adults: a randomized controlled trial". Diabetes, Obesity & Metabolism. 17 (6): 566–572. doi:10.1111/dom.12457. PMID25732625. S2CID205076412.