Swedish Scientists Develop Novel Weight Loss Pill That Preserves Muscle Mass

Swedish researchers have developed a new oral medication that offers a promising alternative to popular injectable GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic for weight management and blood sugar control. Unlike GLP-1s which primarily work by suppressing appetite, this experimental pill targets metabolism in muscles, potentially addressing one of the major drawbacks of existing treatments.

The breakthrough research, published this week in the journal Cell, was led by scientists at Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm University. Their work included both preclinical animal studies and an initial human clinical trial involving 48 healthy adults and 25 individuals with type 2 diabetes.

“Our results point to a future where we can improve metabolic health without losing muscle mass,” said Tore Bengtsson, professor at the Department of Molecular Bioscience at Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University. “Muscles are important in both type 2 diabetes and obesity, and muscle mass is also directly correlated with life expectancy.”

The new medication utilizes a novel form of beta-2 agonist that enhances muscle function while avoiding overstimulation of the heart—a safety concern that has limited the use of older beta-2 agonist formulations. In animal studies, the drug successfully controlled blood glucose levels, boosted fat burning, and preserved muscle mass.

Importantly, researchers reported fewer side effects compared to GLP-1 medications like semaglutides and tirzepatides, which are known to cause appetite loss, gastrointestinal distress, and muscle wasting. This improved side effect profile could make the treatment more tolerable for patients who struggle with the adverse effects of existing options.

Shane C. Wright, assistant professor at the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology at Karolinska Institutet, highlighted the potential significance of this development for patients. “Our substance appears to promote healthy weight loss and, in addition, patients do not have to take injections,” he noted, addressing both efficacy concerns and the convenience advantage of oral administration over injections.

The distinct mechanism of action opens possibilities for using the drug either as a standalone treatment or in combination with GLP-1s, potentially creating more comprehensive therapeutic approaches for metabolic disorders.

Dr. Trey Wickham, interim chief of the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism at VCU Health in Richmond, Virginia, who wasn’t involved in the study, offered a measured perspective. “This compound’s mechanism of action could address some specific metabolic concerns with previous weight reduction therapies, such as the loss of both muscle and fat tissue,” he told Fox News Digital. However, he emphasized that “rigorous testing involving larger longitudinal trials are necessary to ensure human long-term safety and understand the potential role of this compound.”

The researchers themselves acknowledged limitations in their work. The preclinical mouse studies cannot fully capture the “complex nature of these diseases” in humans, and structural studies are still needed to understand precisely how the drug functions. They also noted that while phase 1 data show the compound is well-tolerated, “conclusive clinical efficacy data on how the drug controls glucose metabolism are currently still lacking.”

Looking ahead, Atrogi AB, the company that developed the drug, plans to conduct a larger phase 2 clinical trial with a more diverse population, including individuals with obesity. This will provide a more comprehensive evaluation of the drug’s effectiveness and safety profile across different patient groups.

The research received support from several organizations, including the Swedish Research Council, the Swedish Society for Medical Research, and the Novo Nordisk Foundation. Collaborating institutions included Uppsala University, University of Copenhagen, Monash University, and University of Queensland.

As obesity rates continue to climb globally and demand for effective metabolic treatments grows, this novel approach could represent an important advancement in addressing both weight management and diabetes care with potentially fewer drawbacks than current options.