Obesity
Obesity is a chronic complex disease defined by excessive fat deposits that can impair health. Obesity can lead to increased risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease, it can affect bone health and reproduction, it increases the risk of certain cancers. Obesity may affect sleep quality and reduce mobility, thus impacting on the quality of living.
The global prevalence of obesity, defined as having a BMI equal to or greater than 30kg/m2, has tripled since the mid-1970s, with over a billion people suffering from obesity today. Each year, more than 3 million people die due to complications from overweight or obesity. In the U.S., more than 40% of the population are considered obese. Once associated only with high-income countries, obesity has grown in prevalence in low-and middle-income countries, thus fast evolving into a global health issue.
When the overweight population is included, i.e. those having a BMI equal to or greater than 25 kg/m2 but less than 30 kg/m2, prevalence is expected to grow to 4 billion by 2035. This dramatic trend has a huge economic impact, estimated at $4 trillion in 2035 or 2.9% of global GDP, as a result of higher healthcare cost and lost economic productivity.
CX11 is an investigational, oral small molecule GLP-1 RA for the treatment of cardiometabolic diseases, including obesity and type 2 diabetes. GLP-1 RAs have been shown to lower bodyweight, improve insulin sensitivity, and reduce glucose and overall appetite. CX11, in a once daily orally available formulation, could offer convenience and accessibility to patients, and lower the cost of manufacturing compared to injectables. In a Phase 2 clinical trial conducted in China, CX11 demonstrated competitive weight loss with favorable safety and tolerability. The registrational Phase 3 study in obese and overweight patients in China has been initiated in November 2024.
In December 2024, CORXEL acquired the worldwide (excluding Greater China) rights to CX11, from Vincentage. CORXEL plans to initiate a global (excluding Greater China) Phase 2 study in obese and overweight patients in 2025.
Reference:
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IQVIA - A Renaissance for Cardiometabolic Innovation 2023
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World Health Organization (WHO) Cardiovascular Diseases https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cardiovascular-diseases-(cvds)
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World Health Organization (WHO) Obesity and Overweight.https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight
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Samuel D. Emmerich et al., Obesity and Severe Obesity Prevalence in Adults: United States, August 2021–August 2023; NCHS Data Brief, No. 508, September 2024
