Scientists at Syracuse University have discovered a way to promote weight loss and improve blood sugar control without the unpleasant side effects of current GLP-1 drugs. By targeting brain support cells that produce appetite-suppressing molecules, they developed a modified compound called TDN, which worked in animal tests without causing nausea or vomiting.
Current weight loss and diabetes drugs often fail to achieve long-term results due to their side effects, particularly nausea and vomiting. To address this issue, researchers shifted focus from neurons to brain support cells that control appetite. This approach has led to the discovery of a new molecule, TDN, which bypasses neurons and targets their downstream support cells.
The TDN molecule is a derivative of a naturally occurring molecule called ODN, which suppresses appetite in support cells. In lab tests, injecting ODN into rats’ brains made them lose weight and improved glucose processing. A modified version of the molecule, TDN, was created to be given to humans through regular injections.
TDN showed promise in animal trials, helping obese mice and musk shrews lose weight and respond better to insulin without causing side effects. This discovery offers a new approach to weight loss, potentially reducing or eliminating nausea and vomiting associated with current medications.
A company called CoronationBio has been launched to develop TDN into a real-world treatment, with plans to start human trials in 2026 or 2027. The research team hopes that this breakthrough could lead to more effective weight loss treatments without the unpleasant side effects of traditional medications.
Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250809101009.htm