Researchers explore new metabolic pathways for weight management

Researchers are exploring new pharmacological approaches to weight management that differ from existing GLP-1 agonists like semaglutide.

At the University of California, Berkeley, scientists have revisited a compound known as 5-tetradecyloxy-2-furoic acid (TOFA). In animal studies, TOFA enabled obese mice to consume up to 18% more energy without increasing food intake, physical activity, or body temperature. The compound appears to act on both fat production and the cellular mechanisms used for energy, improving glucose levels and insulin sensitivity without significant loss of lean mass.

Separately, the biotechnology company Enveda is conducting human trials for an experimental oral medication called ENV-308. This drug aims to mimic Lac-Phe, a molecule naturally produced during exercise that is associated with appetite reduction. While a Phase 1 clinical trial involving 88 non-obese participants showed the drug was well-tolerated without significant gastrointestinal issues, the study did not yet demonstrate weight loss or changes in metabolic indicators in humans.