A new once-daily pill may raise the bar for weight loss meds.
Ozempic, Mounjaro and similar drugs that mimic the GLP-1 hormone the body naturally produces after eating can cause significant weight loss, but a potential side effect is loss of lean muscle mass.
The makers of the experimental drug SYNT-101 claim it mimics the effects of gastric bypass surgery while preserving lean muscle mass better than GLP-1 drugs.
SYNT-101 forms a synthetic film on the surface of the small intestine, shifting nutrient exposure to the lower intestine to promote a feeling of fullness. The lining is designed to work for up to 24 hours before it’s naturally cleared from the body.
In a new first-in-human study, seven women and two men between the ages of 24 and 53, who were not considered obese, took varying doses of SYNT-101 in liquid form.
Imaging confirmed that the coating formed across the upper small intestine, and tissue samples showed that SYNT-101 was safely expelled within 24 hours.
Further testing showed the participants had normal liver function and lower glucose absorption.
No serious side effects were reported.
Weight loss was not tracked for this study, but the researchers said the results reflected reduced food consumption. In rodent studies, SYNT-101 produced weight loss of 1% a week for six weeks while preserving 100% of lean muscle mass.
During the 10 days following treatment, liver enzymes including aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT) and bilirubin remained stable for each participant, consistent with normal liver functioning.
Additionally, gastrointestinal tolerance was excellent, with no changes noted in the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS), and all participants reported an average pain rating of 0.
Importantly, glucose tolerance tests revealed delayed uptake of glucose following SYNT-101 treatment. At 30 and 60 minutes, glucose absorption was far lower than in untreated patients, by roughly 35% and 21% respectively. This delay suggests that absorption occurs later in the intestine, as expected, rather than in the coated region of the duodenum.
Ozempic, Mounjaro and similar drugs that mimic the GLP-1 hormone the body naturally produces after eating can cause significant weight loss, but a potential side effect is loss of lean muscle mass.
The makers of the experimental drug SYNT-101 claim it mimics the effects of gastric bypass surgery while preserving lean muscle mass better than GLP-1 drugs.
SYNT-101 forms a synthetic film on the surface of the small intestine, shifting nutrient exposure to the lower intestine to promote a feeling of fullness. The lining is designed to work for up to 24 hours before it’s naturally cleared from the body.
In a new first-in-human study, seven women and two men between the ages of 24 and 53, who were not considered obese, took varying doses of SYNT-101 in liquid form.
Imaging confirmed that the coating formed across the upper small intestine, and tissue samples showed that SYNT-101 was safely expelled within 24 hours.
Further testing showed the participants had normal liver function and lower glucose absorption.
No serious side effects were reported.
Weight loss was not tracked for this study, but the researchers said the results reflected reduced food consumption. In rodent studies, SYNT-101 produced weight loss of 1% a week for six weeks while preserving 100% of lean muscle mass.
During the 10 days following treatment, liver enzymes including aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT) and bilirubin remained stable for each participant, consistent with normal liver functioning.
Additionally, gastrointestinal tolerance was excellent, with no changes noted in the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS), and all participants reported an average pain rating of 0.
Importantly, glucose tolerance tests revealed delayed uptake of glucose following SYNT-101 treatment. At 30 and 60 minutes, glucose absorption was far lower than in untreated patients, by roughly 35% and 21% respectively. This delay suggests that absorption occurs later in the intestine, as expected, rather than in the coated region of the duodenum.
But not in the market
