Corbus Pharmaceuticals has dosed the first subject in a Phase 1 trial for CRB-913, an investigational drug for obesity. CRB-913 is a second-generation CB1 receptor inverse agonist designed to minimize the neuropsychiatric side effects seen with earlier drugs in this class. The trial will assess single and multiple ascending doses of CRB-913.
This development is potentially impactful for the obesity treatment landscape because CRB-913 offers a different mechanism of action compared to currently available drugs. Preclinical data suggests that CRB-913 is significantly more peripherally restricted than previous CB1 inverse agonists, which could translate to a reduced risk of neuropsychiatric adverse events, a key factor that hampered the development of earlier drugs like rimonabant. If successful, CRB-913 could offer a valuable new option for patients seeking effective and safe weight loss therapies.
The single ascending dose/multiple ascending dose portion of the Phase 1 trial is expected to complete in Q3 2025. A Phase 1b dose-ranging study is planned to begin in Q4 2025 and conclude in the second half of 2026. Pre-clinical data indicates CRB-913’s brain-to-plasma ratio is substantially lower than rimonabant and it is considerably more peripherally restricted than monlunabant.
Positive clinical trial results could position CRB-913 as a promising new therapy for obesity, potentially as a monotherapy, in combination with existing treatments, or as a maintenance therapy. Further research will determine its efficacy and safety profile, clarifying its potential role in addressing the significant unmet need for effective obesity treatments.
Jon Napitupulu is Director of Media Relations at The Clinical Trial Vanguard. Jon, a computer data scientist, focuses on the latest clinical trial industry news and trends.
