Zydus Cadila files for obesity drug

Zydus Cadila, an Ahmedabad-based pharmaceutical company, has filed IND (investigational new drug) application for the new molecular entity (NME) ZYO1, a novel drug candidate for treating obesity and related disorders with the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI).

The ZYO1 is a novel experimental drug working through CB-1 mechanism that helps obese patients lose weight and also help control blood sugar levels in type-2 diabetes. The drug could also have a role in protecting the heart, claims the company release.

Pankaj Patel, chairman and managing director, Zydus Cadila informed that ZYH1 undergoing phase II trials, ZYI1 ready for Phase II trials and ZYH2 undergoing Phase I trials.

"ZYO1 the fourth NME in the pipeline, has shown remarkable efficacy and clean toxicity profile in preclinical trial," claims Patel.

According to him, looking at the commercial viability it holds promise as a blockbuster due to unmet medical needs and absence of effective treatments for obesity and related disorders.

According to the company, phase I clinical trials will be initiated 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 cardiometabolic risk factors in patients with obesity and prove its beneficial effects in improving HbA1c, HDL-cholesterol, triglce-rides, systolic blood pressure and reducing waist circumference.