An experimental drug for the treatment of obesity reported positive results in a small clinical trial, according to the drug's maker. (Photo source: yahoo)

   BEIJING, May 12 -- An experimental drug for the treatment of obesity reported positive results in a small clinical trial, according to the drug's maker.

    Arena Pharmaceuticals, a San Diego biotech company, helped obese people who take the 15 mg dose of drug lose an average of 2.9 pounds in only 28 days, compared with 0.7 pounds for taking placebo.

    Lower doses of the drug did not produce a significant weight loss. Participants weighed an average 223 pounds at the start of the trail.

    However, the short duration of the study means it may not be able to answer some important safety questions.

    "It's promising and also a bit scary," says Steven Nissen, a cardiologist at the Cleveland Clinic.

    (Agencies)