Karo Bio released a statement claiming the substance, labeled KB2115, had reduced body weight in animals through increasing the body's energy consumption by stimulating the thyroid receptor, and it would now be tested for safety on healthy but overweight humans.
Chief Executive Per Olof Wallstrom tells Reuters the firm "wants to develop this into a drug. We could theoretically push this all the way through phase III (the last step of drug development) if we choose a small and well defined patient group. We expect to finish these phase I studies during this year... we have a number of years ahead of us in clinical studies."
