A biotech startup focusing on combating obesity has recently announced its plans to develop a new weight loss drug that specifically targets the biology of aging.
Partnering with pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly, BioAge is looking to create a new weight management solutions for older adults.
The California-based company has filed for an initial public offering (IPO) as part of its plan to push forward its innovative approach to treating metabolic diseases, including obesity.
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Their leading drug candidate, Azelaprag, works by mimicking apelin, a peptide that naturally decreases with age and is usually released during exercise.
Clinical trials show promising results, indicating that combining Azelaprag with existing injectable weight loss drugs could enhance weight loss while preventing muscle loss which is a common side effect of many weight loss treatments.
BioAge is also conducting a phase 2 trial with Tizerpertide, the active ingredient in Eli Lilly’s weight loss drug Zepbound, and plans to explore how Azelaprag works alongside semaglutide – the drug used in Novo Nordisk’s popular Wegovy and Ozempic treatments.
The announcement comes at a time when the demand for weight loss drugs is soaring.
- Weight loss drugs could reduce risk of obesity related cancers
- Meal replacement therapy and financial incentives associated with weight loss in teenagers
- Rare eye condition can be triggered by weight loss jab
With larger firms like Pfizer and Roche also entering the competition, the future of obesity treatment looks set to evolve rapidly.
This progress highlights a growing focus on developing more effective, long-term treatments for obesity, especially for older adults, for whom weight management becomes more difficult as they age.
