Start-Ups in Obesity
This article was originally published in Start Up
Executive Summary
The unanimous rejection of Sanofi-Aventis' obesity drug rimonabant by an FDA Advisory Committee in June hasn't put off the host of firms, large and small, seeking an answer to the obesity epidemic. Despite the many drug casualties in this area, still, it seems, no approach is ruled out.
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Marrying Glucagon with GLP-1 to Treat Obesity
Because glucagon raises blood glucose in the liver, it's counter-intuitive to think of it as the basis for a strategy to treat obesity and its associated consequences, including adult onset diabetes. But a research team has shown that a single-molecule "co-agonist" of glucagon and GLP-1 normalizes glucose tolerance and reduces body fat and weight in preclinical models. This molecular-level polypharmacy is particularly appealing in metabolic disease, where single mechanisms tend to offer only modest therapeutic effects.
Omentec Biosciences Inc.
Omentec was formed around omentin, a protein selectively expressed in visceral (central) adipose tissue, where fat is stored. Visceral obesity, as opposed to subcutaneous (peripheral) fat accumulation, is associated with a higher risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. That omentin is found mostly in visceral adipose tissue suggests it may be an important signaling factor in fat metabolism, insulin sensitivity, and inflammation, with therapeutic and diagnostic applications.
Thiakis Ltd.
Thiakis Ltd., a spin-out of Imperial College in London, aims to commercialize an effective anti-obesity treatment based on a peptide hormone called oxyntomodulin, which is released primarily by the intestines after food is consumed, and seems to rein in appetite.