Roche to present Phase II obesity data at ADA 2026 conference

Roche will present late-breaking Phase II data for two obesity candidates at the American Diabetes Association's 2026 Scientific Sessions, the company said June 1.

"The data we will present at ADA highlight the growing strength of our obesity portfolio, exemplified by the robust efficacy and distinct tolerability profiles of enicepatide and petrelintide," Levi Garraway, MD, PhD, Roche's chief medical officer and head of global product development, said.

Enicepatide (CT-388), a once-weekly dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist, achieved clinically meaningful weight loss over 48 weeks in the Phase II CT388-103 study. The drug was designed with biased signaling that minimizes beta-arrestin recruitment, reducing receptor internalization and potentially prolonging activity, according to Roche. A second Phase II study, CT388-104, is evaluating enicepatide in patients with obesity or overweight who also have type 2 diabetes.

Petrelintide, a long-acting human amylin analog, showed efficacy and a favorable tolerability profile in the Phase II ZUPREME-1 trial. An additional monotherapy study, ZUPREME-2, is testing petrelintide against placebo in patients with obesity or overweight and T2D. Amylin receptor activation reduces body weight by restoring sensitivity to the satiety hormone leptin, inducing a feeling of fullness, Roche said.

The data position Roche to compete in the obesity market, projected to affect more than 4 billion people by 2035. The company plans to initiate a Phase II multi-arm fixed-dose combination trial of enicepatide and petrelintide around mid-2026, aiming to develop a differentiated treatment option. Both assets are advancing into Phase III development.

Roche will host a virtual investor event on June 8 to highlight the Phase II data from both studies. The full abstracts will be published in the journal Diabetes. Obesity is associated with more than 200 comorbidities including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, fatty liver and chronic kidney disease.

The data support Roche's strategy of building a differentiated obesity portfolio with two distinct mechanisms of action. Investors will watch the ADA presentations on June 7-8 for specific efficacy and safety numbers that could determine whether enicepatide and petrelintide can challenge established GLP-1 therapies from Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.