An experimental obesity drug from Zealand Pharma and Roche helped patients lose up to 9.2 percent of their body weight in a mid-stage trial. The Danish company shared the results on October 7.

The 220-patient trial tested petrelintide in people who are overweight or obese and have type 2 diabetes. Patients taking the once-weekly injection lost between 7.4 and 9.2 percent of their body weight after 28 weeks, depending on the dose. Those on a placebo lost 2 percent. The trial met its main goal.

The drug also improved blood sugar control. It lowered HbA1c, a key blood sugar measure, by as much as 0.65 percent. Levels rose 0.23 percent in the placebo group.

About 1.9 percent of patients on the drug stopped treatment because of stomach-related side effects, compared with 1.7 percent on placebo. Most side effects were mild and happened while doses were being raised.

Petrelintide mimics amylin, a hormone released with insulin. Roche gained access to it through a deal worth up to $5.3 billion last year. The companies have started late-stage testing in about 7,000 people.