That is a picture of a weight scale. Credit score: CDC/Debora Cartagena
Particulars of a brand new drug that goals to deal with the underlying causes of weight problems have been offered on the annual assembly of the European Affiliation for the Examine of Diabetes (EASD) in Vienna, Austria (15–19 September).
The therapy of weight problems has been remodeled lately by glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists similar to semaglutide, which cut back urge for food, gradual the discharge of meals from the abdomen and improve emotions of fullness.
These medication are extremely efficient for weight reduction however many individuals regain weight after stopping therapy. That is as a result of weight problems is pushed by greater than urge for food alone—it additionally includes disrupted lipid and glucose metabolism, modifications in adipose tissue and mitochondrial dysfunction, leaving loads of room for brand spanking new approaches, explains Riccardo Panella, co-founder and CEO of Turin-based biotech Resalis Therapeutics.
The corporate’s strategy includes an antisense oligonucleotide—a small, lab-made fragment of genetic materials designed to dam a particular RNA within the physique. The brand new drug, which is named RES-010, is designed to dam an RNA molecule known as miR-22.
miR22 is a “master controller” of many processes concerned in weight problems, together with lipid metabolism (how the physique breaks down and makes use of fat), the manufacturing and exercise of mitochondria (the tiny buildings that present cells with power) and adipose tissue transforming (modifications in how physique fats is organized and the way it capabilities), says Dr. Panella, who is among the authors of the brand new analysis.
The hope is that by tackling all these components concurrently, RES-010, which is run as soon as per week as a subcutaneous injection, will reprogram the metabolism, producing long-lasting weight reduction.
Pre-clinical research present that the compound can induce important weight reduction—and that the misplaced weight is not regained when therapy stops.
In assessments on overweight mice, mice given weekly injections of the drug misplaced about 12% extra weight than untreated mice. The load loss occurred step by step over the 5 months of therapy, resulting in the animals returning to wholesome weight.
“Importantly, the treated mice lost weight despite eating the same amount as the untreated mice, which suggests RES-010 isn’t suppressing appetite but reprogramming the metabolism,” says Dr. Panella.
Experiments additionally confirmed that mice that had been handled with RES-010 didn’t regain weight after the drug was stopped.
The crew additionally explored giving RES-010 and semaglutide alone and collectively to mice and non-human primates (NHPs).
They discovered that RES-010 selectively focused fats mass. That is necessary as a result of speedy weight reduction when on a eating regimen or taking GLP-1 medication can result in lean mass, which incorporates muscle and bone, being misplaced too.
“Lean mass, especially skeletal muscle, is central to strength, stamina and blood sugar regulation, and so its loss is potentially harmful,” says Dr. Panella.
NHPs given RES-010 misplaced 15% fats mass and 1% lean mass over 10 weeks. This compares with 16% fats mass and eight% lean mass for semaglutide alone.
The crew additionally checked out whether or not the animals regained weight after therapy was stopped.
They noticed that whereas the NHPs given semaglutide alone regained weight after semaglutide was discontinued, the animals receiving the mixture therapy didn’t regain weight after semaglutide was stopped and so they remained on RES-010 alone. Furthermore, no rebound occurred when RES-010 was additionally stopped just a few weeks later.
No important unwanted effects have been seen within the mice or the NHPs at therapeutic doses, says Dr. Panella.
Assessments on animals and non-human organoids have proven how the drug works.
Dr. Panella says, “RES-010 works by reprogramming how cells deal with fats and power. Somewhat than lowering urge for food, it modifications the way in which during which the physique makes use of fat, boosts the manufacturing and exercise of mitochondria, the ‘batteries’ that energy cells, and helps convert white fats, which shops power, into brown fats, which burns it.
“As a result of it acts on these basic pathways, weight regain is much less doubtless.
“RES-010 is pioneering a new class of RNA medicines that reprogram the body’s metabolism, with the aim of producing long-lasting weight loss and improved metabolic health by, for example, improving liver health.”
The drug is now being given to people for the primary time, in a Part I medical trial within the Netherlands.
The randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled research, will contain as much as 80 members (together with some with obese or weight problems) and assess the protection and unwanted effects of assorted doses. The primary members have been handled in November 2024 and the preliminary outcomes are anticipated at first of 2026.
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European Affiliation for the Examine of Diabetes
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Reprogramming weight problems: New drug goals to deal with the underlying causes (2025, September 17)
retrieved 17 September 2025
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