Peptide medicines to help weight loss and control blood sugar in type 2 diabetes
A Robust Platform for Design and Development of Therapeutic Peptides for Metabolic Syndrome
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · VELUM, INC. · NIH-11094854
Developing new peptide drugs to help adults with type 2 diabetes and obesity lose weight and improve blood sugar control.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | VELUM, INC. (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (CAMBRIDGE, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11094854 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This project builds a platform to design and test engineered peptide hormones that combine GLP-1 activity with other gut hormones like PYY to better mimic the effects of bariatric surgery. Researchers are modifying peptides so they resist rapid breakdown in the blood and then testing promising candidates in laboratory animal models of metabolic disease. The work focuses on finding compounds that produce larger, longer-lasting weight loss and improved glucose control compared with current GLP-1 drugs. If successful, the platform could speed development of new medicines for people with metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with type 2 diabetes, particularly those who are overweight or have trouble controlling blood sugar with current medications, would be the most likely future candidates.
Not a fit: People without metabolic disease, those with type 1 diabetes, pregnant women, and individuals ineligible for future clinical trials would not be expected to benefit directly from this preclinical program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to medicines that produce stronger and more durable weight loss and better blood-sugar control than currently available GLP-1 treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Existing GLP-1 drugs benefit many patients and recent combination hormone therapies have shown larger weight loss, so this approach builds on promising but still emerging clinical strategies.
Where this research is happening
CAMBRIDGE, UNITED STATES
- VELUM, INC. — CAMBRIDGE, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: KUMAR, KRISHNA — VELUM, INC.
- Study coordinator: KUMAR, KRISHNA
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 below.
Conditions: Adult-Onset Diabetes Mellitus