Weight Loss Drug: Ozempic Alternative & Results
- A new approach to weight loss drugs is under development by researchers at Tufts University, potentially offering a more effective and tolerable choice to current medications like Ozempic...
- Teh Tufts team, led by Krishna Kumar, Robinson Professor of Chemistry, is focusing on a compound that targets four hormone receptors, compared to the one to three targeted...
- Kumar noted the widespread impact of obesity, linking it to numerous diseases.
Tired of Ozempic side effects and lackluster results? News from Tufts University reveals a breakthrough: a novel weight loss drug targeting four hormones for improved weight control. Unlike current medications, this compound aims for enhanced effectiveness and reduced nausea. Millions struggle wiht obesity, and this new approach promises a solution, potentially achieving weight loss results nearing bariatric surgery outcomes, a significant step forward in the fight against the obesity epidemic. learn about the cutting-edge research on this potential Ozempic alternative and how targeting multiple hormone receptors could revolutionize the weight loss landscape. News Directory 3 brings you the latest updates on this promising progress. Discover what’s next …
Next-Gen Weight Loss Drug targets Four Hormones
Updated June 14, 2025
A new approach to weight loss drugs is under development by researchers at Tufts University, potentially offering a more effective and tolerable choice to current medications like Ozempic and Wegovy. These existing drugs, used by millions for weight management, can cause side effects such as nausea and may not provide lasting results.
Teh Tufts team, led by Krishna Kumar, Robinson Professor of Chemistry, is focusing on a compound that targets four hormone receptors, compared to the one to three targeted by current drugs. Their findings were published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.
Kumar noted the widespread impact of obesity, linking it to numerous diseases. “What drives us is the idea that we can design a single drug to treat obesity and together mitigate the risk of developing a long list of health problems plaguing society,” Kumar said.
Current weight loss medications frequently enough utilize glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) to stimulate insulin production and create a feeling of fullness.However, these drugs can cause nausea, leading some patients to discontinue treatment. Newer drugs, like Mounjaro, incorporate glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP) to reduce nausea. Some drugs in clinical trials, such as retatrudide, target glucagon along with GLP-1 and GIP, showing even greater weight loss potential.
Tristan Dinsmore, a graduate student in Kumar’s lab, explained the addition of a fourth hormone target: peptide YY (PYY). “This molecule is also secreted by the gut after we eat a meal, and its job is to reduce appetite and slow the process of emptying food from the stomach, but via different mechanisms than either GLP-1 or GIP. It may also be involved in directly ‘burning off’ fat,” Dinsmore said.
Martin Beinborn,visiting scholar in the Department of Chemistry,highlighted the potential for more consistent results. “By hitting four different hormone receptors simultaneously occurring,we hope to improve the chances of averaging out such variation toward the goal of achieving greater and more consistent overall effectiveness,” Beinborn said.
What’s next
The researchers hope their new compound can achieve weight loss results closer to those seen with bariatric surgery, which can result in up to 30% weight loss.