Chugai Pharmaceutical stock: Roche to return emugrobart rights as obesity program ends
Published on 10/06/2026 at 21:05 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Chugai Pharmaceutical said in a September 28, 2026 release that Roche will discontinue clinical development of emugrobart, also known as GYM329, for obesity. The company identified itself as Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., listed under code 4519 on the Prime Market of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Chugai Pharmaceutical said the decision followed an assessment of interim data from the Phase II GYMINDA study.
Rights return and SMA plans
Chugai said all rights previously licensed to Roche for emugrobart will be returned to Chugai. The company has begun preparing to resume development for spinal muscular atrophy and is also considering potential out-licensing opportunities with third parties, according to the issuer's release. Chugai Pharmaceutical said it identified an opportunity to support a Phase III study in spinal muscular atrophy based on the candidate's administration method, safety profile, pharmacodynamics, clinical signals and study-design modifications.
Study assessment
The company said the GYMINDA study evaluated emugrobart in combination with GLP-1/GIP receptor agonists in patients with obesity or overweight. Chugai said achieving the study's prespecified efficacy objectives for clinically meaningful weight loss was unlikely, while the candidate was well tolerated and no new safety signals were observed. The release said the announcement was not expected to affect Chugai's consolidated financial forecast for the fiscal year ending December 2026. Chugai Pharmaceutical
