Obesity, Wasting Syndrome Both Wired into Hormonal Emergency Circuit

A weight-control mechanism has been detailed by scientists based at NGM Biopharmaceuticals, a company that is already exploiting its newfound knowledge. NGM Bio indicates that it is working with Merck to develop drug candidates for both excess and insufficient weight.One of the drug candidates, NGM386, holds potential as a treatment for obesity. Another candidate, NGM120, holds potential as a treatment for cachexia, an extreme form of weight loss exacerbated by chemotherapy.Each drug acts on a m