Artelo Biosciences (ARTL) has released new preclinical data showing that its investigational drug ART27.13 achieves weight loss comparable to semaglutide in an obesity model, with a synergistic effect when both agents are used together.
ART27.13 is an oral, once‑daily, peripherally selective dual agonist of cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2.
The company is primarily advancing the program for cancer‑related anorexia and cachexia, while also exploring additional therapeutic indications.
In a diet‑induced obesity study, ART27.13 lowered body weight by roughly 20 % over four weeks, matching the efficacy of semaglutide.
When administered in combination with semaglutide, ART27.13 produced approximately 40 % weight loss—about double the reduction seen with either compound alone.
About 80 % of the weight loss observed with ART27.13 alone or in combination was due to fat loss, compared with roughly 70 % for semaglutide monotherapy.
The compound had no impact on body weight, fat mass, or lean mass in lean mice, and obese animals maintained the weight‑loss benefit even after food intake recovered.
These results suggest that ART27.13 operates via a mechanism complementary to GLP‑1 receptor agonism and could be evaluated as a companion therapy to existing weight‑loss medications.
ART27.13 has previously been evaluated in seven clinical studies involving nearly 300 participants.
In the Phase 2 CAReS trial in cancer patients with anorexia, interim data indicated that patients receiving the highest dose gained an average of more than 6 % body weight over 12 weeks, whereas placebo recipients lost about 5 %.
Artelo is also conducting a Phase 2 glaucoma study with ART27.13 and is investigating further development opportunities, including its use alongside GLP‑1–based therapies.
The company indicated that the new obesity data will likely support additional partnering discussions with pharmaceutical firms focused on metabolic disease.
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