AGT presents new data on obesity

AGT Biosciences (ASX:AGT) has presented data on a new gene linked to obesity at the International Diabetes Federation Conference in Paris.

The gene, food intake regulatory transcript (FIT), formerly known as AGT121, is exclusively expressed in the brain and the company has found that blocking the expression of the gene in rats results in significant changes to feeding behaviour.

"The results show that four days after treatment animals with decreased FIT levels show a 40 per cent reduction in food intake and a 5-8% reduction in body weight," said Prof Greg Collier.

"It is clear that FIT is a strong new lead in the search for a novel anti-obesity therapeutic. This new protein appears to work in a known pathway of food intake control and provides an excellent drug target."

AGT's partner Merck-Sante has already picked up the FIT gene for fast-track development, said director of business development Dr James Campbell.

While AGT researchers have identified the human FIT gene, no human studies on the expression or function of the gene have been carried out as yet, he said, but plans were under discussion with Merck-Sante.

Campbell said the identification of FIT was further confirmation of the strengths of AGT's gene discovery and characterisation platforms for delivery of biologically validated leads.