Zafgen Ends Studies Early for Obesity Drug Beloranib

Zafgen (NASDAQ:ZFGN) has decided to end the randomized portion of two studies on obesity drub beloranib early, after a patient in a late-stage study died.
According to Fierce Biotech:

Zafgen has been stumbling badly through a terrible stretch that has claimed over half the value of its stock during the past week. The biotech maintained an awkward, stony silence as rumors about trouble in the pipeline spread after execs at the biotech suddenly canceled a planned roadshow with investors. Only days after its stock plunged did the company finally admit that a patient taking beloranib had died, leaving Zafgen under a cloud of suspicion on a safety issue, which can be particularly troublesome for an obesity drug.

While Zafgen still doesn’t know what caused the patient’s death, the study has begun screening patients for thrombotic disease, as that is a known safety issue with this drug. Analysts have been concerned that any significant safety issues with beloranib would, at best, severely restrict its use.

Click here to read the full article on Fierce Biotech.