Syntis Bio introduces oral treatments for metabolic diseases

Syntis Bio, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, is advancing the development of oral therapies targeting a spectrum of metabolic diseases, ranging from common issues like obesity to rare conditions such as homocystinuria (HCU) and maple syrup urine disease (MSUD). The company is leveraging the small intestine's role in metabolic regulation, digestion, and drug absorption to drive these innovative programs forward.

In 2023, Syntis Bio successfully raised $15.5 million in a seed funding round, attracting investments from Safar Partners, Touchdown Ventures, BOLD Capital Partners, Colorcon Ventures, and Portal Innovations. This financial backing is fueling the company's pipeline, including its flagship obesity treatment, SYNT-101, which is currently in human clinical trials.

SYNT-101 is a once-daily oral medication designed to mimic the effects of gastric bypass surgery. It temporarily obstructs nutrient absorption in the duodenum, the upper section of the small intestine. This rerouting of nutrients to the lower small intestine enhances controlled absorption and stimulates the release of satiety hormones such as GLP-1 and PYY, promoting a feeling of fullness.

CEO Rahul Dhanda expressed optimism about the preliminary results from the human trials of SYNT-101, which are expected to provide safety, tolerability, and efficacy data by the end of 2024. These findings will support an Investigational New Drug (IND) application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2025. Dhanda emphasized that SYNT-101 could offer a convenient, once-daily pill alternative or complement to existing obesity treatments.

By harnessing the therapeutic potential of the small intestine, Syntis Bio aims to develop more effective treatments for a wide range of conditions. These include not only prevalent issues like obesity and diabetes but also rare diseases such as HCU and MSUD, which currently have limited treatment options.

In April 2024, Syntis Bio expanded its pipeline by acquiring engineered enzymes from Codexis. This acquisition will initially focus on developing orally administered therapies for HCU (SYNT-202) and MSUD (SYNT-203). Both conditions currently lack approved disease-modifying treatments. Following successful studies in non-human primates, the company plans to submit an IND application for one of these candidates.

Syntis Bio's strategic approach underscores the potential of the small intestine in therapeutic innovation. By targeting metabolic pathways within this critical organ, the company hopes to pioneer treatments that address both widespread public health challenges and rare genetic disorders. This dual focus not only broadens the company's impact but also exemplifies a commitment to addressing unmet medical needs across diverse patient populations.

Through these initiatives, Syntis Bio is positioning itself at the forefront of metabolic disease treatment, combining advanced science with practical, patient-centric solutions. The company's progress in clinical trials and its robust pipeline reflect a promising trajectory toward bringing novel therapies to market and improving the lives of those affected by metabolic diseases.