AI helps Stanford scientists discover a “natural Ozempic” with a surprising advantage

Key Points:

• Researchers have discovered a new molecule called BRP that selectively targets the hypothalamus to regulate hunger and metabolism, potentially enabling weight loss without common side effects like nausea, constipation, or muscle loss seen with current treatments such as semaglutide (Ozempic).
• BRP was identified using an AI algorithm named Peptide Predictor, which analyzed human genes to find peptides likely to influence brain activity related to appetite, leading to the discovery of a 12-amino-acid peptide that significantly increased neuronal activity in lab tests.
• Animal studies showed that BRP reduced food intake by up to 50% and promoted fat loss while preserving muscle mass, also improving glucose and insulin tolerance, with no observed adverse effects on movement, anxiety, or digestion, suggesting a different and potentially safer mechanism than existing GLP-1 drugs.
• The research team plans to identify the specific receptors BRP activates, develop longer-lasting formulations, and conduct clinical trials to assess safety and effectiveness in humans, aiming to provide a novel obesity treatment with fewer side effects.
• The study, published in Nature and led by Stanford researchers, was supported by multiple institutions and funding sources, with the lead scientists holding patents related to BRP and involved in advancing it toward clinical use through a startup company.