A new once-daily pill may raise the bar for weight loss meds.

Drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro, which imitate the GLP-1 hormone that the body releases post-meal, can lead to notable weight reduction; however, they may also result in the loss of lean muscle mass as a side effect.

Developers of the experimental drug SYNT-101 assert that it replicates the outcomes of gastric bypass surgery while maintaining lean muscle mass more effectively than GLP-1 drugs.

“We are confident that SYNT-101 will offer a convenient, long-term oral solution and/or complement to systemic treatments like GLP-1 drugs,” stated Rahul Dhanda, CEO of Syntis Bio, the biopharmaceutical firm in Boston working on the development of the treatment.

SYNT-101 forms a synthetic film on the surface of the small intestine, shifting nutrient exposure to the lower intestine to promote a feeling of fullness. The lining is designed to work for up to 24 hours before it’s naturally cleared from the body.

In a new first-in-human study, seven women and two men between the ages of 24 and 53, who were not considered obese, took varying doses of SYNT-101 in liquid form.

Imaging confirmed that the coating formed across the upper small intestine, and tissue samples showed that SYNT-101 was safely expelled within 24 hours.

Further testing showed the participants had normal liver functioning and lower glucose absorption.

SYNT-101 promotes better energy balance, Dhanda said, lessening the body’s tendency to break down muscle tissue for fuel.

No serious side effects were reported.

Nausea is one of the most frequently reported side effects of GLP-1 drugs — and one of the major reasons why some users quit taking them.

Hair loss and skin pain are among the less common side effects. Blindness and behavioral changes can occur in very rare cases.

Weight loss was not tracked for this study, but the researchers said the results reflected reduced food consumption.

In rodent studies, SYNT-101 produced weight loss of 1% a week for six weeks while preserving 100% of lean muscle mass.

The new findings were presented this week at the European Congress on Obesity in Malaga, Spain.

“The millions of people living with obesity need novel treatment options that are safe, effective and avoid the high costs and severe side effects that often accompany available treatment options,” Dhanda said.

More research is needed to fully assess the drug’s efficacy and safety.

Syntis Bio plans to submit an Investigational New Drug (IND) application to the Food and Drug Administration later this year.

“We are eager to replicate these data in our upcoming Phase 1 clinical trial and further explore the ability of SYNT-101 to produce sustainable, safe, effective weight loss by reducing fat, preserving lean muscle and stimulating natural production of satiety hormones to prevent weight regain,” Dhanda said.