Ablaris' peptide slims fat monkeys, but will its apoptosis mechanism fly in humans?
This article was originally published in Scrip
Executive Summary
The publication on 10 November 2011 of a preclinical study that showed that rhesus monkeys can lose an average of 11% of their body mass when treated with a peptide called adipotide caused a great deal of general media interest and the share value of Arrowhead Research to rise some 40% on the day. The compound also showed some potential in lowering insulin requirements. However, with the FDA in the process of deciding whether the compound’s can enter human trials, its apoptotic mechanism of action may make mean that FDA will take a particular interest in the compound's safety profile.