Thiakis' obesity drug enters first clinical trial

London, UK-based privately-held drugmaker Thiakis has commenced dosing human volunteers in the first clinical trial of TKS1225, its novel oxyntomodulin analog for the treatment of obesity. The study will initially focus on safety and tolerability before investigating the effects of the compound on appetite and food intake.

Company chief executive John Burt said that, as the action of the drug is localized to the gut, it might not have any of the psychiatric side effects that have prevented many obesity drugs reaching their predicted blockbuster status, such as Sanofi-Aventis' Acomplia (rimonabant), which was denied US approval over concerns that it increased the risk of depression and suicide (Marketletters passim).

TKS1225 is based on oxyntomodulin, a naturally-occurring peptide hormone released by the gut following food ingestion, acting as a satiety signal to reduce intake and increase energy expenditure. Preclinical models have shown TKS1225 to be highly efficacious, ameliorating glucose intolerance as well as causing a significant reduction in body weight, while clinical studies of oxyntomodulin show that it causes significant weight loss, reduces appetite and food intake, noted Thiakis.