Taranabant: double the weight loss of placebo

52-week results from two-year Phase III study of Merck & Co's investigational cannabinoid-1 receptor blocker, taranabant, showed patients experienced statistically-significant weight loss when taking the drug in combination with diet and exercise, according to data the US drug major presented at the 57th annual scientific session of the American College of Cardiology.

In this study, patients on 2mg of the drug experienced more than double the amount of weight loss at 52 weeks compared to those treated with placebo. Those on taranabant 2mg demonstrated a mean weight loss reduction from baseline of 6.6 kg (95%) compared to 2.6 kg (95%g) for subjects on placebo, which was statistically significant (p<0.001 versus placebo), at 52 weeks. Maximum weight loss in this study was achieved by week 36 and was maintained throughout the next 16 weeks of the study in patients on 2mg of the drug. People in all treatment groups were placed on a diet and exercise regimen in addition to therapy or placebo. In addition, more than two times as many patients treated with taranabant 2mg lost 5% of their baseline body weight compared with those on placebo (95%; p<0.001 vs placebo). Moreover, more than three times as many patients treated with taranabant 2mg lost 10% of their baseline body weight compared with those on placebo (95%; p<0.001), the firm noted.