To treat sever obesity caused by type 2 diabetes, Zafgen conducted a phase 2b trail which involved use of beloranib drug by study subjects. The results were found productive as drug succeeded in reducing body weight.

The patients who were given 1.8 mg doses of the beloranib drug had reduced 12.7% of their weight, while 13.5% of weight fell on taking 1.2 mg doses. In case of patients who were given placebo, they weighed less by 3.1% of their earlier weight.

The patients involved in both the 1.8 mg and 1.2 mg treatment arms achieved reduction in HbA1c by 2%, more as compared to 0.6% in case of placebo. The drug also registered success in treating Prader-Willi syndrome in a late-stage trial.

"In addition to the recent positive efficacy data from our bestPWS clinical trial, these data provide additional context regarding beloranib's benefit-risk profile in the treatment of severe forms of obesity , we look forward to discussing these results with the FDA,” said Thomas Hughes, CEO, Zafgen.

Zafgen licensed beloranib from Chong Kun Dang Pharmaceutical Corporation of South Korea. Beloranib inhibits MetAP2, an enzyme that changes the activity of key cellular processes that control metabolism.

According to Zafgen, when a person becomes obese, many metabolic changes are encountered in body, and the body becomes programmed to create and store more fat, which makes it difficult to cut down weight. It is believed that Beloranib could reduce hunger and pushes body to utilize all energy for work only.