Orexigen’s New Data (NASDAQ:OREX)

Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:OREX) has announced and presented their new data from the COR diabetes trials for Contrave to expand on top line results announced in July this year. This new data shows that after completing 56 weeks of therapy, Contrave patients have lost weight significantly and improved on important markers of cardiometabolic risk. Though it was good news for investors and analysts, shares dropped a bit and showed no signs of moving upward. The new data was presented during the panel discussion at the 27th Annual Scientific Meeting of The Obesity Society.

Obese patients have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes. After the Contrave trials patients demonstrated significant improvements in their waist circumference, HDL and triglycerides. Patients with Type 2 diabetes taking Contrave saw a reduction of HbA1c by 1.1 percent which is considered to be a great achievement for Orexigen Therapeutics. The company is one of the leading biopharmaceutical companies that look after the development of pharmaceutical product candidates for the treatment of obesity. Results also show the robust glycemic benefit of Contrave in patients who have poorly controlled diabetes. These patients also experience significant reduction of A1C reduction from the baseline.

All the Phase 3 trials done by Orexigen Therapeutics were 56 weeks, randomized, and double-blind placebo controlled trials. The primary endpoints were the proportion of patients achieving at least five percent weight loss and percent change in body weight compared to placebo. Patients were randomized to receive either placebo or Contrave with a four week titration period. Secondary endpoints included; multiple markers of cardiometabolic risk, reporting of food cravings by patients. Eating control measures were also recorded and showed great improvement. Orexigen Therapeutics has said that Contrave can benefit a broad range of obese patients.