New Drug that May Help with Weight Loss in Months

Scientists claim that a drug injection could help people struggling with obesity lose nearly 10% of their body weight within just a few months. Researchers state that the drug regulates the patient’s appetite control system, making them feel full. The German company Boehringer Ingelheim and Danish firm Zealand Pharma believe that, if successful, it could be administered to many patients with excess weight. However, the drug, known as BI456906, must overcome further hurdles before it can be approved. Nevertheless, its developers claim it is more effective than currently licensed medications that work in a similar way. American researchers tested BI456906 on 400 patients in their fifties, with an average weight of 215 pounds (97 kg). After four months, those receiving the highest dose lost nearly 9% of their body weight, equivalent to 5 pounds (2.3 kg). BI456906 promotes the production of a glucagon-like peptide-1 hormone, which is naturally released after meals and helps regulate blood sugar levels. The study is set to be presented to the Obesity Society in California in November.