Death knell sounds for CB1 antagonists

Nov 06 2008

• By Alex Shimmings

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Anti-obesity drugs that target the cannabinoid 1 receptor look set to be consigned to drug development history after the discontinuation of the two most advanced of these products in this class. [C#198601345:Sanofi-Aventis] is stopping all clinical trials of Acomplia (rimonabant) following its recent suspension in the EU because of psychiatric safety concerns, and [C#198600199:Pfizer]is discontinuing its Phase III candidate CP-945,598.

Anti-obesity drugs that target the cannabinoid 1 receptor look set to be consigned to drug development history after the discontinuation of the two most advanced of these products in this class. Sanofi-Aventis is stopping all clinical trials of Acomplia (rimonabant) following its recent suspension in the EU because of psychiatric safety concerns, and Pfizeris discontinuing its Phase III candidate CP-945,598.

Sanofi-Aventis's decision was prompted by French and German regulators wanting to stop ongoing trials of rimonabant because of safety concerns....

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