Roche drops emugrobart obesity program and returns rights to Chugai

Roche is ending obesity development of emugrobart (GYM329), an experimental antibody intended to help preserve muscle while patients lose weight.

The decision followed an interim review of the Phase 2 GYMINDA trial. The study tested emugrobart alongside GLP-1/GIP receptor agonists in people with obesity or overweight; the companies concluded clinically meaningful weight loss was unlikely.

Chugai says the drug was well tolerated in the study, with no new safety signals. The announcement did not cite a safety concern as the reason for stopping.

Roche is returning the licensed rights to Chugai. Chugai is preparing to resume development for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and is considering potential licensing partners.

This follows Roche’s earlier decision to stop emugrobart development for SMA and facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD).