Gelesis : novel non-invasive capsulated device for obesity and presents clinical data

4/22/10 -Boston-based medical technology firm Gelesis, Inc. unveiled its capsulated device Attiva™, and presented data showing that Attiva™ significantly increased the post-meal feeling of satiety and reduced hunger between meals in obese patients. This data was presented at the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) 19th Annual Meeting & Clinical Congress.

Attiva™, the first and only superabsorbent hydrogel composed entirely from food components, is administered in the form of small particles that are designed to swell after ingestion with water and occupy the gastric and intestinal cavities, inducing a feeling of satiety that lasts beyond its transit time in the stomach. Afterwards, it safely degrades in the colon and releases absorbed liquids. When fully swollen, the product creates very small and individual gel beads that are mixed homogenously with the food in the stomach and also have the same elasticity and viscosity as foods.

"For the first time a group was able to overcome the enormous technical hurdles in creating a super-absorbent polymer made entirely out of food,"... Gelesis' Press Release -

ZenBio Licenses an Important Cell Line from Harvard to Drive Metabolic Disease Research RESEARCH

December 1, 2009 - ZenBio announce that they will be a commercial source for the popular murine 3T3-L1 cell line, which has been fundamental in metabolic disease research for 30 years. Originally derived from Swiss mouse embryo tissue by Dr. Howard Green of the Department of Cell Biology at Harvard Medical School, the 3T3-L1 system has been pivotal in advancing the understanding of basic cellular mechanisms associated with diabetes, obesity and other related disorders.
3T3-L1 is a cell line derived from 3T3 cells that is used extensively in research on adipose tissue, making the line popular for metabolic disease research studies. 3T3-L1 cells have a morphology that resembles fibroblasts, but under the right conditions the cells will differentiate into a phenotype that mimics the behavior of adipocytes. The 3T3-L1 in vitro system has proven a highly useful complement to primary human adipocyte cultures, and has been used extensively by scientists to unlock many of the mysteries of metabolic diseases. The 3T3-L1 cell line is recognized as a very well-characterized, consistent in vitro system, and has served as the basis for a wide range of published studies... [PDF] ZenBio's Press Release -

MDRNA : Patent Allowance Covering Intranasal Formulations for Y2-Receptor Agonists

Apr 12, 2010 - Allowance Broadens Portfolio for the Treatment of Obesity and Related Diseases - MDRNA, Inc. (NASDAQ: MRNA), a leading RNA interference (RNAi)-based drug discovery and development company, announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued a Notice of Allowance for patent application U.S. 12/234,547 covering formulations for the intranasal delivery of Y2 receptor selective agonists.

Y2-receptor agonists are a family of peptides (pancreatic polypeptide, peptide YY, and neuropeptide Y) that play a central role in caloric intake. The natural release of these peptides in association with meals directly influences how efficient and effective the body utilizes sugars, carbohydrates and other nutrients. Y2-receptor agonists can regulate food intake at the level of the brain, pancreas, and intestinal tract, and may provide treatment to prevent overeating and excessive weight gain, and the numerous adverse health effects associated with obesity.

"MDRNA's focus remains the development of therapeutic products based on RNAi, however we believe that our legacy nasal assets have significant value,"... MDRNA's Press Release -

Orexigen Therapeutics and Patheon : Exclusive Manufacturing Agreement for Contrave(R)

March 12, 2010 - Orexigen(R) Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: OREX), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the treatment of obesity, and Patheon Inc. (TSX: PTI), a global provider of drug development and manufacturing services, announced a long-term agreement for commercial manufacturing of Contrave(R) (naltrexone HCL sustained release (SR)/bupropion HCL SR) as well as development of future formulations of Orexigen products. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.


"Patheon's manufacturing capabilities provide us a proven platform to help ensure successful market entry and stable commercial supply of Contrave in the event it is approved,"... [PDF] Patheon's Press Release - Orexigen's Press Release -

Amylin and Takeda : Decision to Advance Development of Pramlintide/Metreleptin Combination Treatment for Obesity

February 22, 2010 – Phase 2 Extension Study Demonstrated Sustained Weight Loss - Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: AMLN) and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (TSE: 4502) announced that the companies have selected the combination treatment of pramlintide, an analog of the natural hormone amylin, and metreleptin, an analog of the natural hormone leptin, for advancement toward Phase 3 development. The decision to advance the program followed encouraging results from a 52-week blinded, placebo-controlled Phase 2 extension study. The pramlintide/metreleptin combination met the key target criteria of sustained and robust weight loss.


“There is an enormous unmet need to help reduce the individual and economic burden of obesity,”... Takeda's Press Release - Amylin's Press Release -