Clinical News

Investigational Drug Reduces Body Fat in Obese Patients With Diabetes

An investigational agent, bimagrumab — which was originally being tested to see if it would increase lean muscle mass in people with sarcopenia — is effective and safe for weight loss, according to preliminary results from a study in patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes.

The investigators randomly assigned 75 patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes to receive monthly injections of the drug, or placebo, plus twice monthly visits with a registered dietitian. At 48 weeks, on average, patients in the treated group had a 21% drop in body fat mass (-7.5 kg, or -16.5 lb), a 6.5% reduction (-5.9 kg) in body weight, and a 3.6% increase (1.7 kg) in lean body mass. The findings were presented at the Obesity Week 2019.