Why Metabolic Disease?
Metabolic conditions - such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) - cause significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Together these diseases represent one of the world’s most rapidly growing unmet medical needs.
At Sciwind we are committed to discovering and developing new therapeutics that will stop and reverse the progression of metabolic disease and improve the lives of patients worldwide.
What are incretins?
Incretins are peptide hormones with broad and beneficial effects on metabolism. They are produced by the body in response to food intake and then rapidly degraded.
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is naturally released after a meal. The peptide acts on the digestive tract, liver, pancreas, and central nervous system to maintain physiological health.
Gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP, also known as glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide) is released in response to consuming glucose. GIP acts on the pancreas to increase insulin secretion.
GLP-1 receptor agonists have shown benefits in treating obesity, type 2 diabetes, and liver disease. Combination of GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonists has potential to further enhance these therapeutic benefits.
Obesity
Obesity is associated with elevated plasma lipids and increased blood sugar, which can put chronic pressure on the metabolic system. Excess body weight can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, NAFLD/NASH, and cardiovascular disease.
Insufficient secretion of GLP-1 is an important driver of obesity. Even after significant weight loss, GLP-1 normalizes very slowly, making weight maintenance challenging. Treatment with GLP-1 receptor agonists can delay gastric emptying and increase the sense of fullness, thereby reducing food intake and leading to weight loss.
Combination of GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonists may further improve metabolic health in patients with obesity, leading to increased and sustainable weight loss.
Type 2 Diabetes
Patients with type 2 diabetes have elevated or uncontrolled blood sugar and insulin resistance. Type 2 diabetes is closely associated with both obesity and NAFLD/NASH.
Treatment with GLP-1 receptor agonists in patients with type 2 diabetes leads to reduced insulin resistance and lower blood sugar, as well as weight loss.
Combination of GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonists has the potential to further improve glycemic control in type 2 diabetes patients.
Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH)
NASH is a progressive liver disease that begins with increased hepatic fat and inflammation (NAFLD) and can lead to development of liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and liver failure.
Treatment with GLP-1 receptor agonists provides therapeutic benefit to NAFLD/NASH patients by normalizing the metabolic state, reducing liver fat content, and promoting weight loss – which can ultimately lead to resolution of NASH.
Combination of GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonists may further improve treatment outcomes for NASH patients.
