Oral pill to mimic gastric bypass effects for weight loss
Official title: Development of an Oral Pill to Mimic the Effects of Gastric Bypass Surgery
Funded at Syntis Bio INC · NIH-11365114 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new once-daily pill aims to block nutrients in the small intestine to help people lose weight, similar to gastric bypass effects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Syntis Bio INC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 15, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $916,664 |
| NIH project number | 5R44DK141341-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11365114 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with obesity who are candidates for weight-loss therapies and are seeking non-surgical options.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without obesity or those who cannot tolerate oral medications may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to develop an oral pill that forms a protective coating in the duodenum to reduce nutrient absorption, potentially leading to meaningful weight loss. The approach uses a gastrointestinal lining that, when paired with nanoparticles, creates a barrier to limit how much glucose and other nutrients enter the body. By focusing on safety, cost, and ease of use, the team hopes to improve access to a highly effective weight-loss approach for people with obesity and related conditions. If successful, the pill could offer an affordable alternative to more invasive procedures. The work is conducted by Syntis Bio in collaboration with MIT-derived technology under an NIH R44 award.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could achieve significant weight loss with a convenient daily pill that may also reduce obesity-related health risks.
How similar studies have gone: This builds on prior concepts of intestinal barriers for weight management and is a novel application awaiting early efficacy data.
Where this research is happening
-
Syntis Bio INC
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sethuraman, Vasu V — Syntis Bio INC
- Study coordinator: Sethuraman, Vasu V
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.