Latest news with #SyntisBio
Business Wire
01-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Syntis Bio Closes $38 Million Financing to Accelerate Oral Therapies for Obesity and Rare Diseases
BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Syntis Bio, Inc. (Syntis), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company revolutionizing oral therapies for obesity, diabetes and rare diseases, announced today the close of a $33 million oversubscribed Series A financing. Cerberus Ventures led the round, with participation from new investors Mansueto Investments, Woori Venture Partners and Apollo Labs. Founding investors BOLD Capital Partners, W. R. Berkley Corporation, Safar Partners, Portal Innovations, Colorcon Ventures and Cerity Partners Ventures also participated. Syntis has also secured up to $5 million in non-dilutive funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) through two Fast-Track Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) awards from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), supporting the advancement of its SYNT™ (SYN thetic T issue-lining) platform. Capital from the Series A financing and grant funding will advance development of SYNT, an orally delivered, transient polymer coating for the small intestine that controls nutrient uptake, enhances gut-restricted enzyme efficacy and increases systemic drug absorption for up to 24 hours. The funding also enables the advancement of lead program SYNT-101 through Phase 1 studies as a once-daily treatment for obesity, as well as initiation of Phase 1 studies for SYNT-202, a first-in-class oral enzyme therapy for homocystinuria, a rare pediatric amino acid disorder. To date, SYNT-101 has demonstrated strong pre-clinical safety and weight loss data, as well as clinical advancements in safety, mechanism of action and pathways for controlling weight. 'We're grateful for the continued support and enthusiasm of our new and existing investors, who share our vision to revolutionize both chronic and rare disease treatment through safe, effective oral therapies,' said Rahul Dhanda, CEO and co-founder of Syntis Bio. "This oversubscribed Series A round coupled with these non-dilutive grants validates and accelerates the promise of SYNT-101 in obesity and, more broadly, our SYNT platform technology to unlock the small intestine's full therapeutic potential to meaningfully improve human health.' Syntis also announced the addition of two members to the company's Board of Directors, Chenny Zhang, director at Cerberus Ventures, and Michael Nannizzi, director of investments at W. R. Berkley. Mr. Dhanda added, 'I'm thrilled to welcome Chenny and Michael to our board. Michael has actively advised Syntis since our early days, reflecting W. R. Berkley's consistent strategic support, and adding Chenny augments the strong foundation we have built. Her extensive life sciences experience at Cerberus Ventures and previously at In-Q-Tel will be invaluable as Syntis Bio enters our next growth phase focused on strategic partnerships and platform innovation.' 'While high-cost, complex development processes continue to limit many Americans' access to essential medicines, Syntis' SYNT platform represents a fundamentally novel approach to the oral delivery of biologics. We believe SYNT, with its breakthrough technology and platform potential, is poised to significantly expand patient access and redefine what is possible in drug delivery,' said Ms. Zhang. 'I look forward to working closely with the team to realize the full potential of their disruptive platform and pipeline.' About SYNT-101 SYNT-101 is being developed as a once-daily pill for the treatment of obesity. SYNT-101 works by transiently blocking nutrient absorption in the duodenum, the upper part of the small intestine, and redirecting nutrients to the distal small intestine to stimulate the natural secretion of satiety and metabolism-regulating hormones, including GLP-1. This mechanism, known as duodenal nutrient exclusion, is a key contributor to the efficacy of gastric bypass surgery, which remains the gold standard for weight loss and metabolic disease management. Recent preclinical data demonstrated 100% preservation of lean muscle mass with consistent 1% weekly weight loss in rodent models, while first-in-human data showed that SYNT-101 demonstrated strong evidence of nutrient redirection and satiety hormone modulation. Importantly, SYNT-101 displayed strong safety and tolerability across both studies, with no adverse events reported. About SYNT™ Technology SYNT-101 leverages the power of SYNT™ (SYN thetic T issue-lining) oral therapeutic technology that optimizes therapeutic effects in the small intestine, the body's nexus for metabolic control, digestion and drug absorption. SYNT uses mussel-inspired polymer chemistry to deliver a safe, transient polydopamine coating to catalase-rich tissues, like the duodenum. After successful deployment in the gastrointestinal tract, the polydopamine lining is sustained for up to 24 hours, after which it is naturally and safely cleared from the body. SYNT is highly versatile and can achieve a variety of therapeutic effects. In addition to nutrient exclusion, SYNT can be engineered to install and sustain gut-restricted enzymes in the small bowel, enhance the oral bioavailability of drugs, and target new tissues throughout the body. Data from more than 100 preclinical pig studies conducted by MIT and Syntis demonstrate that SYNT can achieve 70% glucose blocking, 20 times improved enzyme activity, and 4-10 times increased oral drug bioavailability. About Syntis Bio Syntis Bio is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing oral therapies that harness the small intestine's unique biology to provide more accessible, effective and sustainable solutions across the healthcare spectrum, from rare genetic disorders to the world's most prevalent conditions. Syntis is rapidly advancing a pipeline of oral therapies engineered for targeted activity in the small intestine, the body's nexus for metabolic control, digestion and drug absorption. Alongside its lead obesity program, SYNT-101, the company is advancing a portfolio of therapies targeting orphan metabolic diseases and intestinal-related disorders. Syntis is headquartered in Boston, MA. For more information, please visit and follow us on LinkedIn. NIH Grant Acknowledgment Research reported in this press release was supported by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases of the National Institutes of Health under Award Numbers R44DK138869 and R44DK141341. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
‘Gastric bypass pill' causes weight loss without side effects: Study
(NewsNation) — A daily pill could give patients the weight-loss benefits of gastric bypass surgery or drugs like Ozempic — with none of the negative side effects, according to a recent clinical trial. Researchers say the SYNT-101 pill, developed by Boston-based Syntis Bio, mimics the effects of gastric bypass surgery while preserving muscle mass better than GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro. The pill forms a film on the small intestine that redirects nutrient exposure to the lower intestine and gives patients a feeling of fullness — effectively mimicking gastric bypass surgery, which reroutes a person's intestines. The coating lasts up to 24 hours before it's expelled from the body. Who is eligible for weight loss medication? 'A lot remains to be seen with these medications, but the studies that we've seen so far look really promising,' said Dr. Jessica Duncan, an obesity medicine physician. The pill led to consistent weight loss and maintained lean muscle mass in rodent trials, and the first human study confirmed the pill formed a film and was safely cleared from the body within a day. 'These data further validate the potential of SYNT-101 as a convenient once-daily oral alternative or complement to GLP-1 drugs, which often involve substantial costs, severe side effects such as muscle loss and long-term maintenance issues despite high efficacy rates,' said Rahul Dhanda, CEO of Syntis, in a statement. Are weight loss drugs safe? Learn some of the side effects The study has limitations. The human trial only examined effects on nine patients who took one dose. Patients included seven women and two men between 24 and 53 who were not considered obese. 'So in that small group of people, they had no side effects, no serious or adverse events, and they didn't have any gastrointestinal side effects,' Duncan said. 'But with nine people, it's really hard to tell.' Duncan said the pill's safety profile will be developed in upcoming clinical trials. She told NewsNation that, whether weight loss is coming from a pill, surgery or injection, it's important to preserve muscle mass and eat well. 'Medications are super helpful for correcting the biological causes of obesity, but you have to make those lifestyle changes as well,' Duncan added. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
New York Post
14-05-2025
- Health
- New York Post
New daily ‘gastric bypass pill' leads to consistent weight loss — and no side effects: study
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. 3 SYNT-101 is a once-daily pill designed to mimic the effects of gastric bypass surgery while preserving lean muscle mass better than other weight loss drugs. New Africa – 'We believe that SYNT-101 will provide a convenient, more sustainable oral alternative and/or complement to systemic therapies such as GLP-1 drugs,' said Rahul Dhanda, CEO of Syntis Bio, the Boston-based biopharmaceutical company developing the treatment. 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 functioning and lower glucose absorption. SYNT-101 promotes better energy balance, Dhanda said, lessening the body's tendency to break down muscle tissue for fuel. 3 In rodent studies, SYNT-101 produced weight loss of 1% a week for six weeks while preserving 100% of lean muscle mass. íÅ¡í¸íâ¬í¸í»í» í íâ¹í¶í¾í² – No serious side effects were reported. Nausea is one of the most frequently reported side effects of GLP-1 drugs — and one of the major reasons why some users quit taking them. Hair loss and skin pain are among the less common side effects. Blindness and behavioral changes can occur in very rare cases. 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. 3 While drugs that mimic the GLP-1 hormone the body naturally produces after eating can cause significant weight loss, a potential side effect is loss of lean muscle mass. Chanakon – The new findings were presented this week at the European Congress on Obesity in Malaga, Spain. 'The millions of people living with obesity need novel treatment options that are safe, effective and avoid the high costs and severe side effects that often accompany available treatment options,' Dhanda said. More research is needed to fully assess the drug's efficacy and safety. Syntis Bio plans to submit an Investigational New Drug (IND) application to the Food and Drug Administration later this year. 'We are eager to replicate these data in our upcoming Phase 1 clinical trial and further explore the ability of SYNT-101 to produce sustainable, safe, effective weight loss by reducing fat, preserving lean muscle and stimulating natural production of satiety hormones to prevent weight regain,' Dhanda said.
Daily Mail
13-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
'Golden age' weight-loss pill that mimics gastric bypass op is hailed a 'miracle' - and said to be better than fat jabs
A pill that mimics the effect of a gastric bypass has been touted as the latest weight loss miracle – and may even be more effective than fat jabs in the long term. The capsules produce a temporary coating in the gut that prevents food from being absorbed, forcing it into the lower intestine and triggering hormones that make you feel full. Its manufacturers say it may have advantages over weight-loss injections such as Ozempic and Mounjaro, including having fewer side effects and being easier to take. It is also far safer and less invasive than actual gastric bypass surgery. Rahul Dhanda, chief executive of Syntis Bio, makers of the pill, said: 'The problem is [fat jabs] are not very tolerable and patients want to come off them. 'You want to have a long-term maintenance therapy, and an oral pill is the rational choice because it's simple, tolerable and safe. 'What we're seeing now is patients and clinics being more focused on having something safe and sustainable to keep on a manageable, sustainable weight-loss path. 'I anticipate the side effects to be minimal to none, and we haven't seen any yet in human tests. That is because it doesn't enter the bloodstream like injections do. 'It's a mechanical molecule, so it's like we're inserting a stent, as opposed to a drug that is acting with the target, and also off the target.' By binding to the mucous membrane lining of the duodenum - the top of the intestine near the stomach - the pills create a barrier that stops calories being absorbed. It forces food directly into the lower part of the digestive system, the pills set off a 'cascade' of hormones including GLP-1, the same chemical mimicked by semaglutide jab Wegovy. It also causes the body to stop producing ghrelin, which makes you feel hungry, and start producing leptin, which makes you feel satisfied. The person taking the pill feels full more quickly and stops eating. The coating created by the pill sheds naturally after about 24 hours, leaving no trace. The effect is similar to gastric bypass, in which surgeons make the stomach smaller and shorten the small intestine, changing how the body absorbs food and leaving people feeling fuller after eating less. In rats, the drug caused the animals to lose 1 per cent of their bodyweight per week while preserving 100 per cent of their lean muscle mass. Trials in humans have not studied weight loss but found the pills cause no harmful side effects. If they prove effective in further trials, the pills could help patients maintain a healthy weight after intensive weight-loss with jabs, or replace the injections entirely. Dr Louis Aronne of Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City told the conference that a 'golden age' of treatment had begun with these new drugs. The Times reported he was pushing for health providers, including the NHS, to 'roll them out at scale', addding: 'I think use of drugs like this will prevent the need for many other medications, procedures, and surgeries.
The Sun
13-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
New ‘dream' daily weight loss pill ‘better than surgery OR fat jabs' and has ‘minimal to no side effects'
A DAILY weight loss pill is a safer alternative to gastric bypass surgery, makers say. The tablet does the same job by making people feel full for longer. Its developers say the treatment is a better way to lose weight than surgery or fat jabs, which can trigger severe side-effects. A pilot human trial on nine patients indicated the pill was safe to use and reduced hunger signals. It contains a chemical called polydopamine that reacts with an enzyme in the gut to create a lining which moves digestion to an area where fullness hormones are triggered. The mucosal membrane is then naturally excreted by the body each day. Gastric bypass surgery disconnects the stomach from the small intestine and reattaches it lower down to achieve the same effect. It is effective but only a few thousand patients have the operation each year on the NHS. The Synt-101 pill was developed by US company Syntis Bio. Chief executive Rahul Dhanda told the European Congress on Obesity in Spain: 'The dream is to have this be the go-to drug for weight management. 'The obvious benefit over gastric bypass surgery is you could avoid an invasive procedure and take a daily pill instead. "Plus a gastric bypass is irreversible whereas you can stop this when you no longer want it. 'This integrates with the mucosal membrane which is naturally excreted by the body. You take the pill once a day in the morning and it should be cleared by the next day.' 40 Day Health Challenge pro reveals top tips to avoid snacking Mr Dhanda said the pill could also be taken by patients who have come off GLP-1 weight loss injections, such as Wegovy and Mounjaro. He said: 'The problem with GLP-1s is they are not very tolerable. 'An oral pill is the rational choice because it's simple, tolerable and safe. 'I anticipate the side-effects to be minimal to none.' 'Golden age' for fat fight A GOLDEN age of obesity treatment is on the horizon with more than 150 new drugs in clinical trials, experts say. But they need to be rolled out quicker to the 16million fat people in Britain, they believe. The European Congress on Obesity heard pharma companies are spending billions targeting hunger hormones. Dr Louis Aronne, of Weill Cornell Medicine in New York, said: 'I call this the golden age of obesity treatment.' It could take the NHS 12 years to supply all those who need them. Prof Jason Halford, of the European Association for the Study of Obesity, said: 'These drugs have the potential to help millions. 'If the Government and NHS are serious about prevention, they need to reconsider the speed of the rollout of these drugs.' Everything you need to know about fat jabs Weight loss jabs are all the rage as studies and patient stories reveal they help people shed flab at almost unbelievable rates, as well as appearing to reduce the risk of serious diseases. Wegovy – a modified version of type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic – and Mounjaro are the leading weight loss injections used in the UK. Wegovy, real name semaglutide, has been used on the NHS for years while Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a newer and more powerful addition to the market. Mounjaro accounts for most private prescriptions for weight loss and is set to join Wegovy as an NHS staple this year. How do they work? The jabs work by suppressing your appetite, making you eat less so your body burns fat for energy instead and you lose weight. They do this my mimicking a hormone called GLP-1, which signals to the brain when the stomach is full, so the drugs are officially called GLP-1 receptor agonists. They slow down digestion and increase insulin production, lowering blood sugar, which is why they were first developed to treat type 2 diabetes in which patients' sugar levels are too high. Can I get them? NHS prescriptions of weight loss drugs, mainly Wegovy and an older version called Saxenda (chemical name liraglutide), are controlled through specialist weight loss clinics. Typically a patient will have to have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, classifying them as medically obese, and also have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure. GPs generally do not prescribe the drugs for weight loss. Private prescribers offer the jabs, most commonly Mounjaro, to anyone who is obese (BMI of 30+) or overweight (BMI 25-30) with a weight-related health risk. Private pharmacies have been rapped for handing them out too easily and video calls or face-to-face appointments are now mandatory to check a patient is being truthful about their size and health. Are there any risks? Yes – side effects are common but most are relatively mild. Around half of people taking the drug experience gut issues, including sickness, bloating, acid reflux, constipation and diarrhoea. Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and clinical consultant at said: 'One of the more uncommon side effects is severe acute pancreatitis, which is extremely painful and happens to one in 500 people.' Other uncommon side effects include altered taste, kidney problems, allergic reactions, gallbladder problems and hypoglycemia. Evidence has so far been inconclusive about whether the injections are damaging to patients' mental health. Figures obtained by The Sun show that, up to January 2025, 85 patient deaths in the UK were suspected to be linked to the medicines.
