Orexigen obesity drug found to reduce food intake

Contrave employs a proprietary formulation of two CNS molecules, bupropion and naltrexone, that have been independently approved by the FDA in other indications. The unique combination of these molecules is designed to provide more clinically meaningful weight loss for patients by both initiating weight loss and sustaining it over a longer period of time.

The combination of bupropion and naltrexone, the components of Contrave, resulted in a 94% reduction of food intake in obese mice, greater than either drug alone. The combination directly increased firing of neurons associated with reduction in food intake and satiety. The drugs act in a part of the brain where food reward pathways are located. The interaction between bupropion and naltrexone appeared more potent in obese mice than in lean mice.

Michael Cowley, founder and chief scientific officer of Orexigen, said: “We originally theorized that the combination of bupropion and naltrexone, the components of Contrave, would stimulate proopiomelanocortin (POMC) neuronal firing which would lead to sustained weight loss. These new findings indicate that Contrave may also modulate food cravings through its effect on reward pathways. We believe this aspect of Contrave’s mechanism of action may have the potential to differentiate it from other pharmaceutical therapies available or in development for the treatment of obesity.”