Zafgen's obesity drug attracts a high-profile spotlight

Reuters did an in-depth feature on Zafgen's promising obesity therapy beloranib. The drug works by blocking the methionine aminopeptidase 2, or MetAP2, enzyme--which plays a role in the body's production and use of fatty acids. "It's not just about 'x' percent weight loss, it's making a change in the fundamental underlying metabolic disease, that will probably go on to reduce the cost of the healthcare system and save lives of these patients," says Third Rock's Kevin Starr. And if this new mechanism works safely, the drug could pay off big time. Report