Biotech firm creates weight loss pill that mimics the effects of gastric bypass surgery

[Skye Jacobs]

Forward-looking: The rising popularity of GLP-1 receptor agonists like Ozempic and Wegovy has transformed obesity treatment and spurred competition among pharmaceutical companies to develop more effective alternatives. One such contender is Syntis Bio, a Boston-based biotech firm working on an oral medication designed to replicate the effects of gastric bypass surgery without the need for invasive procedures. The company recently unveiled promising early data at the European Congress on Obesity and Weight Management in Barcelona, highlighting the potential of its lead candidate, SYNT-101.

SYNT-101 offers a novel approach to weight loss by temporarily altering nutrient absorption in the small intestine. Unlike GLP-1 drugs, which are administered via injection and often come with side effects such as nausea and vomiting, SYNT-101 is a once-daily pill that mimics the metabolic effects of gastric bypass surgery.

The drug forms a temporary coating in the upper small intestine, redirecting nutrients to the lower intestine where satiety hormones like GLP-1 are naturally activated. This mechanism promotes feelings of fullness and supports sustainable weight loss, all while preserving lean muscle mass – a common concern with current anti-obesity medications.

The science behind SYNT-101 is based on research conducted at MIT by gastroenterologist Giovanni Traverso and chemical engineer Robert Langer, who co-founded Syntis Bio with CEO Rahul Dhanda in 2022.

SYNT-101 is meant to replicate the effects of gastric bypass surgery

The drug's design leverages two key ingredients: dopamine and hydrogen peroxide. When ingested, these compounds interact with an enzyme called catalase in the small intestine to form a biocompatible polymer coating known as polydopamine. This coating lasts for approximately 24 hours before being naturally cleared through the body's mucosal turnover.

In preclinical studies with rodents, SYNT-101 demonstrated consistent weight loss of one percent per week over six weeks, while preserving 100 percent of lean muscle mass. These findings were echoed in early human trials, where nine participants reported no adverse effects.

Although the pilot study was not intended to measure weight loss, blood tests revealed promising hormonal changes: decreased levels of ghrelin, the "hunger hormone, "and increased levels of leptin, which helps regulate appetite.

Tissue samples confirmed that the polymer coating formed as expected and was safely eliminated within a day.

GLP-1 receptor agonists have challenges including high costs and the loss of lean muscle mass

Syntis Bio's findings come at a pivotal moment in obesity treatment. While GLP-1 drugs have earned widespread acclaim for their effectiveness, they are not without drawbacks. High costs, insurance challenges, and unpleasant side effects have led many patients to discontinue their use.

"With SYNT-101, we believe we can deliver sustainable, safe, effective weight loss by reducing fat while preserving lean muscle and stimulating natural production of satiety hormones," Dhanda said during the conference.

Experts in the field have taken note of SYNT-101's potential. Dr. Louis Aronne, an obesity medicine specialist at Weill Cornell Medical College and a clinical adviser to Syntis Bio, emphasized the drug's promise as a first-line treatment. "A major pitfall of current GLP-1 drugs is related to gastrointestinal side effects as well as the loss of lean muscle that accompanies weight loss," Aronne noted. "SYNT-101's mechanism of action may avoid these issues entirely."

Dr. Vladimir Kushnir, director of bariatric endoscopy at Washington University in St. Louis, praised the early data but cautioned that larger trials are necessary to fully assess the drug's efficacy and safety. "My anticipation is that this is going to have some digestive side effects like bloating and abdominal cramping," Kushnir told Wired.

Despite these uncertainties, SYNT-101 could represent a significant advancement in obesity treatment. Syntis Bio plans to submit an Investigational New Drug (IND) application to the US Food and Drug Administration later this year and hopes to begin Phase 1 clinical trials shortly thereafter.

Permalink to story:

Biotech firm creates weight loss pill that mimics the effects of gastric bypass surgery

 

[GodisanAtheist]

To live in a world of such abundance that we need medicine not to overeat and be obese.

Luckily inflation should slim a few people down since it is now cheaper to make the fast food at home than it is to get it through the drive through...

 

[Megalomaniac]

Inflation on food prices are already helping to prevent Americans from being able to afford the poisonous, diabetes-inducing snacks they were accustomed to eating on a whim.

It feels good to live in a country with such abundance that we actually need medicine, gyms and exercise plans to prevent obesity - while many others starve to bed at night...but you've got to admit: Many of us have been living a quality of life that our own productivity does not in any way justify.

 

[candle86]

Inflation on food prices are already helping to prevent Americans from being able to afford the poisonous, diabetes-inducing snacks they were accustomed to eating on a whim.

It feels good to live in a country with such abundance that we actually need medicine, gyms and exercise plans to prevent obesity - while many others starve to bed at night...but you've got to admit: Many of us have been living a quality of life that our own productivity does not in any way justify.

uh hate to be the bearer of bad news but unhealthy food is cheaper than healthy

 

[stewi0001]

Should place bets on side effects

 

[Megalomaniac]

uh hate to be the bearer of bad news but unhealthy food is cheaper than healthy

That's absolutely not true. Fruits and vegetables are far less expensive than unhealthy, processed foods. Same goes for fresh meat. I can go into my backyard right now, trap an animal and strip it for meat - or fish. Far healthier and far less expensive than processed food. The only reason why it appears unhealthy is cheaper is because we've tooled this economy to devalue farming, hunting and natural foods in favor of ultra-processed.

 

[candle86]

That's absolutely not true. Fruits and vegetables are far less expensive than unhealthy, processed foods. Same goes for fresh meat. I can go into my backyard right now, trap an animal and strip it for meat - or fish. Far healthier and far less expensive than processed food. The only reason why it appears unhealthy is cheaper is because we've tooled this economy to devalue farming, hunting and natural foods in favor of ultra-processed.

yea most people live in an Apartment, and every apartment ive lived in frowns on trapping the wildlife on property.

 

[mailpup]

yea most people live in an Apartment, and every apartment ive lived in frowns on trapping the wildlife on property.

To be fair he could be talking about dogs and cats. They're not wildlife.... mostly.

 

[passwordistaco]

If it's not even in Phase 1 yet, it won't be on the market for about 5 years.

 

[Axeia]

Luckily inflation should slim a few people down since it is now cheaper to make the fast food at home than it is to get it through the drive through...

Thats always been such a uniquely weird US problem. Everywhere else I've been to or heard about fast food is far more expensive than cooking yourself.

---

I guess another benefit of this would be that those that need gastric bypass surgery usually have to lose weight before they can undo any kind of surgery. With this they can get started no matter their size I imagine.
And if they're still gluttunuous even whilst on it then a gastric bypass would have done them no good anyway... You can undo those by overindulging.

The big take away is however that it'll make you eat less, not eat healthy. That would be the true miracle pill for someone to invent.

 

[kiwigraeme]

It's easy to demonise overweight people as lazy and no self control

But weight is increasing world wide

Look at say 70s YT vids of say NYC - most people look much slimmer or slim
It's not like most men back then even thought about diets- unless a doctor read them the riot act.
So people didn't suddenly change to lazy or no self control

Most heroin addicts give up , same as other types of addicts . Yet many people try to diet 100s of times , or lose weght for a year , hey presto in 2 years later back to old weight if not larger

More info now , cut out ultra processed food , especially if high fat/sugar/salt/additives , low nutrients and no fiber .
Make sure to eat more complex carbs, more protein/oils or fats to suppress hunger , same more fiber to go same
Cut out sodas, reduce treats to smaller portions , have a healthy alternative available etc
do some strength training to build muscle to soak calories and glucose - Resistance training is promotes weight loss moe than cardio ( with cardio people then to eat to make up , post run for example )

middle and upper class areas to have better and more fresh stuff available esp USA

Given the toll of peoples lives, more heart , kidney , diabetes etc, toll on family resources , work attendance etc

think such drugs are a good thing - is it cheating to take a drug to be heathier , to be around longer for your kids

People need to eat , times are stressful , food is a pleasure and necessity

Yeah add in come home need to cook a meal for everyone in 20-30 minutes for family - people look for easy answers . yes you can prepare healthy meals in 10 to 30 minutes easy many don't know how

Advertisers still have sway - drink heathy fruit juice - 4 oranges in a glass , no pesky flesh .
Bet unless buying single ingredients for a cereal in USA eg Osts, Chia seeds , pure wheat flakes - in a std USA supermarket 96% of cereals will have sugar content from 15% to 70% ( extra sugar coated sugar ) - Most oatmeal cookies are much healthier than frosties ( only thing is added milk, added vitamin's and minerals )

French etc tend not to snack as much between meals , eat slower and enjoy their meals

 

[Zsoltblabla]

Inflation on food prices are already helping to prevent Americans from being able to afford the poisonous, diabetes-inducing snacks they were accustomed to eating on a whim.

It feels good to live in a country with such abundance that we actually need medicine, gyms and exercise plans to prevent obesity - while many others starve to bed at night...but you've got to admit: Many of us have been living a quality of life that our own productivity does not in any way justify.

What you call food is something we in Europe wouldn't even feed to our dogs!

 

[Zsoltblabla]

It's easy to demonise overweight people as lazy and no self control

But weight is increasing world wide

Look at say 70s YT vids of say NYC - most people look much slimmer or slim
It's not like most men back then even thought about diets- unless a doctor read them the riot act.
So people didn't suddenly change to lazy or no self control

Most heroin addicts give up , same as other types of addicts . Yet many people try to diet 100s of times , or lose weght for a year , hey presto in 2 years later back to old weight if not larger

More info now , cut out ultra processed food , especially if high fat/sugar/salt/additives , low nutrients and no fiber .
Make sure to eat more complex carbs, more protein/oils or fats to suppress hunger , same more fiber to go same
Cut out sodas, reduce treats to smaller portions , have a healthy alternative available etc
do some strength training to build muscle to soak calories and glucose - Resistance training is promotes weight loss moe than cardio ( with cardio people then to eat to make up , post run for example )

middle and upper class areas to have better and more fresh stuff available esp USA

Given the toll of peoples lives, more heart , kidney , diabetes etc, toll on family resources , work attendance etc

think such drugs are a good thing - is it cheating to take a drug to be heathier , to be around longer for your kids

People need to eat , times are stressful , food is a pleasure and necessity

Yeah add in come home need to cook a meal for everyone in 20-30 minutes for family - people look for easy answers . yes you can prepare healthy meals in 10 to 30 minutes easy many don't know how

Advertisers still have sway - drink heathy fruit juice - 4 oranges in a glass , no pesky flesh .
Bet unless buying single ingredients for a cereal in USA eg Osts, Chia seeds , pure wheat flakes - in a std USA supermarket 96% of cereals will have sugar content from 15% to 70% ( extra sugar coated sugar ) - Most oatmeal cookies are much healthier than frosties ( only thing is added milk, added vitamin's and minerals )

French etc tend not to snack as much between meals , eat slower and enjoy their meals

Yes, easy…. Also 100% true!