New weight loss pill 'may avoid Wegovy and Mounjaro side effects'

A new weight-loss pill could tackle diabetes and obesity without certain drawbacks of GLP-1 medications. Findings published in Cell come from researchers at Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm University and describe GRK-biased adrenergic agonists that boost metabolism directly in skeletal muscle rather than suppressing appetite. Unlike injections like Wegovy that influence gut-brain hunger signals, the novel compound uses a different mechanism to improve metabolic health while avoiding appetite loss, muscle wasting, and digestive issues associated with some GLP-1 therapies. Preclinical work showed improvements in blood sugar control and body composition, supporting the potential of this approach. Early human data include a Phase I trial with 48 healthy volunteers and 25 people with type 2 diabetes who reportedly tolerated the treatment well. The molecule is based on a lab-developed β2 agonist engineered to activate key pathways in muscle without excessive cardiac stimulation, addressing a long-standing hurdle for β2 fighters. Atrogi AB will lead a larger Phase II trial as the next development step, with scientists noting the therapy could be effective as a stand-alone option or in combination with GLP-1 drugs.