New mitochondrial drugs to boost muscle calorie burning for obesity and type 2 diabetes
Official title: New Generation of Mitochondrial Uncouplers for the Treatment of Metabolic DIsorders
Funded at Equator Therapeutics, INC. · NIH-11141857 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project is developing drugs that make muscle mitochondria burn more energy to help adults with obesity and type 2 diabetes lose weight and improve blood sugar.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Equator Therapeutics, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 20, 2021 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,571,137 |
| NIH project number | 5R44DK127880-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11141857 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults (21+) with obesity and adult-onset (type 2) diabetes who need additional treatments to reduce weight or improve metabolic control are the most likely candidates.
✕Less likely to help
Children, people without metabolic disease, pregnant people, or individuals with known mitochondrial disorders or certain cardiac conditions may not benefit or could be excluded from participation.
What this research studies
Researchers are creating a new class of mitochondrial 'uncoupler' drugs designed to increase thermogenesis (heat production) in skeletal muscle so the body uses more energy. They measure mitochondrial proton leak directly using advanced lab techniques like patch-clamp and test compounds in cells and animal models to select candidates with controlled effects. The goal is to mimic how long-chain fatty acids activate muscle thermogenesis but in a safe, drug-like way. If preclinical safety and efficacy look good, the program could advance into human clinical trials.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, these drugs could help adults with obesity or type 2 diabetes lose weight and improve glucose control by increasing energy expenditure.
How similar studies have gone: Mitochondrial uncoupling as a concept produced weight loss historically but was unsafe (for example, DNP), so this specific, more controlled drug approach is novel with promising preclinical rationale but not yet proven in humans.
Where this research is happening
-
Equator Therapeutics, INC.
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vu, Simon — Equator Therapeutics, INC.
- Study coordinator: Vu, Simon
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.