Roche Obesity Drug Shows Promise in Early-Stage Study (1)

Roche Holding AG reported positive early-stage results for an obesity drug as the Swiss pharma giant looks to compete with Novo Nordisk A/S and Eli Lilly & Co in the burgeoning field of weight-loss medicines.

The injectable drug, CT-388, resulted in significant weight loss in adults with obesity compared with those who received a placebo. It also helped patients with pre-diabetes return to normal glycemic status, Roche said Thursday.

Shares of Roche rose 3.8% in early trading following the positive data. The stock is down about 15% in the past year.

Roche obtained CT-388 as part of its $3.1 billion ...