Corbus Pharmaceuticals has initiated the multiple ascending dose (MAD) portion of its Phase 1 trial for CRB-913, an obesity treatment. The drug is a CB1 inverse agonist designed to minimize brain penetration, addressing the neuropsychiatric side effects that plagued earlier attempts at developing similar treatments. Preliminary data from the single ascending dose (SAD) portion showed no treatment-related neuropsychiatric events.
The successful progression of CRB-913 to the MAD stage represents a crucial step toward validating its potential as a safer obesity treatment. Existing weight-loss drugs targeting the CB1 receptor were withdrawn due to significant neuropsychiatric risks. If CRB-913 continues to demonstrate a favorable safety profile alongside signs of efficacy, it could represent a significant advancement in addressing a major unmet medical need, with substantial market potential.
The MAD study will assess the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of CRB-913 administered once daily for seven days in healthy volunteers. This data will inform the dosage for a subsequent Phase 1b trial in obese individuals planned for later this year. The Phase 1 MAD study is expected to complete in Q3 2025, with the Phase 1b dose-ranging study commencing in Q4 2025 and concluding in the second half of 2026.
The continued development of CRB-913 holds promise for a new approach to obesity treatment. The compound’s unique design to minimize brain penetration offers hope for an effective weight-loss therapy without the debilitating neuropsychiatric side effects seen in earlier generations of CB1-targeting drugs. Positive results from the MAD and subsequent trials could position Corbus as a leader in this therapeutic area, significantly impacting the obesity treatment landscape.
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.
