The 'Monster' Origin Of Weight Loss Drugs Like Ozempic: WSJ

The development of blockbuster diabetes drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro, which have revolutionized obesity treatment, can be traced back to decades-old studies of two unlikely creatures: the Anglerfish and the Gila monster, The Wall Street Journal reports.

From Anglerfish to GLP-1

In 1980, researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital studied Anglerfish to find the gene that encodes a hormone called glucagon. They discovered a related hormone, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which was later found to encourage insulin release, lower blood sugar, and make people feel fuller faster. However, GLP-1 disappears from the human body quickly, making it difficult to develop into a drug.

The Gila Monster’s Contribution

Meanwhile, researchers studying Gila monster venom found a peptide similar to human GLP-1. This peptide, named Exendin-4, reduced blood glucose in diabetic mice for hours, suggesting it could be developed into a diabetes treatment.

From Exendin-4 to Ozempic

Pharmaceutical company Amylin developed Exendin-4 into a drug, which was approved by the FDA in 2005. This success spurred other companies, including Novo Nordisk, to develop more effective and longer-lasting GLP-1 drugs. Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide, known by the brand names Ozempic and Wegovy, is now a blockbuster drug for weight loss and diabetes treatment.

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