Development of a targeted oral pharmacologic duodenal exclusion therapy for the treatment of metabolic diseases

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity are chronic metabolic diseases with global morbidity and mortality. Decades of evidence from surgical and endoscopic procedures bypassing the duodenum underscore the duodenum's critical role in regulating glycemia and body weight. Although metabolic surgeries and endoscopic procedures are effective, their invasiveness, cost, and scalability limit patient access. We developed an orally administered mucin complexing polymeric (MCP) drug, designed to replicate duodenal exclusion physiology. MCPs, intended to have electrostatic and covalent cross-linkages with mucin glycoproteins, form extended network structures with resulting alteration of mucus barrier properties. Selective targeting of the duodenum is achieved via pH-based activation chemistry. Following screening for physiochemical properties, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy, GLY-200 emerged as the lead drug candidate replicating duodenal exclusion physiology with improved glycemia, reduced body weight, and modulation of gut hormones in rodent models. This targeted oral therapy holds promise for treatment of T2D and obesity by mimicking duodenal exclusion without the invasiveness of surgery or endoscopic procedures.