Veru rises after US FDA backs obesity drug combo plan

Shares of drug developer Veru VERU.O rise 6.6% to $2.60 premarket

Co says it has gained support from the U.S. FDA for testing its experimental obesity drug, enobosarm, alongside popular GLP-1 weight-loss medicines

VERU plans to launch a new mid-stage trial for the drug early next year

Co says FDA has agreed that extra weight loss on top of a GLP-1 drug, or clear benefits in preserving strength and physical function, could be enough to approve the combination if confirmed in larger studies

The planned trial will enroll about 200 patients aged 65 and older with obesity who are starting a GLP-1 drug and track changes in body weight over 72 weeks, with earlier checks on muscle, fat and physical function

Enobosarm is designed to help people lose fat while maintaining muscle

As of last close, VERU stock down 62.5% YTD