Biotechnology company Saniona AB (STO:SANION) announced on Monday that it plans to initiate a clinical phase 2a study in the rare eating disorder hypothalamic obesity with its lead product Tesomet.

The company said this phase 2a study in hypothalamic obesity will complement Saniona's development plans in Prader-Willi syndrome. These two rare eating disorders have several things in common, including clinical symptoms, clinical trial design and potential orphan drug designation.

According to the company, it has recently reported positive results from preclinical studies for Tesomet and from a phase 1 study with its new patented Tesomet tablet. These two important stepping-stones will enable it to perform long term clinical studies with Tesomet.

Saniona is aiming at developing Tesomet for severe eating disorders including Prader-Willi syndrome and hypothalamic obesity in the US and Europe. Both Prader-Willi syndrome and hypothalamic obesity are rare diseases characterised by a constant craving for food with severe consequences for the patients.

The company added that it is planning to engage in clinical studies in patients with hypothalamic obesity in collaboration with several leading academic centres in Denmark. Hypothalamic obesity is a rare disease which often is caused by the surgical removal of a brain tumour. The tumour and/or the surgical removal often lead to damage of the appetite centre in the brain (hypothalamus). This results in insatiable hunger and morbid obesity. Patients with hypothalamic obesity are consequently experiencing many of the same symptoms as those seen in patients with Prader-Willi syndrome.

Saniona is a research and development company focused on drugs for diseases of the central nervous system, autoimmune diseases, metabolic diseases and treatment of pain.