Although medications like Ozempic have shown strong results in helping people shed pounds, many patients regain the weight once they stop treatment. A new drug, however, takes a different approach, aiming to deliver longer-lasting results by altering the body’s metabolism.
Drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Trulicity belong to a class called GLP-1 receptor agonists. They work by delaying stomach emptying and promoting feelings of satiety. The drawback is that once the injections stop, appetite often returns, and so does the weight.
At the annual European Association for the Study of Diabetes conference in Vienna, researchers from Resalis Therapeutics, a biotech firm based in Turin, Italy, introduced a novel candidate: RES-010. Unlike GLP-1 drugs, RES-010 uses an antisense oligonucleotide—synthetic genetic material that blocks the RNA molecule miR-22. Currently in phase 1 human trials, this molecule plays a key role in regulating fat metabolism, mitochondrial function, and adipose tissue remodeling. In five-month mouse studies, weekly injections of RES-010 led to 12% more weight loss compared to untreated animals.
Targeting the root cause
Both treated and untreated mice consumed the same calories, but only the RES-010 group lost more weight—suggesting that the drug directly reset metabolic processes instead of simply suppressing appetite. “RES-010 changes how cells manage fat and energy,” explained Resalis co-founder and CEO Riccardo Panella. “It enhances mitochondrial activity, helps convert white fat into calorie-burning brown fat, and reduces the chance of weight regain by acting on core biological pathways.”
Another advantage is its tissue-specific action. Preclinical studies showed that RES-010 targeted fat cells while sparing lean mass. By contrast, GLP-1 drugs like semaglutide often lead to loss of both fat and muscle. In trials with non-human primates, RES-010 reduced body fat by 15% while preserving nearly all lean tissue. Semaglutide, on the other hand, caused 16% fat loss but also an 8% drop in lean mass. “Maintaining skeletal muscle is critical for strength, endurance, and blood sugar regulation, so preserving it is a huge benefit,” said Panella.
In another experiment, animals that stopped semaglutide regained weight, while those given both semaglutide and RES-010 maintained weight loss even after both treatments ended.
A first-in-human trial began in the Netherlands in November 2024, with results expected in early 2026.
Read the original article on: New Atlas
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