Syntis Bio raises $33M to develop oral gastric bypass alternative

Syntis Bio has been a key player in the evolving landscape of weight-loss treatments over the past year. With growing interest in transforming injected therapies into oral solutions and combining approaches to minimize gastrointestinal (GI) side effects, maintain muscle mass, and sustain weight loss, the field has seen significant advancements. Syntis Bio believes its lead candidate can achieve these goals, supported by recent funding that will enable the progression of SYNT-101 through Phase I trials.

Recently, Syntis Bio secured a $33 million Series A funding round, spearheaded by Cerberus Ventures. This financial boost will facilitate the advancement of SYNT-101, an innovative oral treatment distinct from most obesity therapies. Unlike conventional treatments targeting GLP-1 or related incretin receptors, SYNT-101 emulates the effects of gastric bypass surgery. It features Syntis' proprietary SYNT (SYNthetic Tissue-lining) technology, which delivers a polydopamine lining to the duodenum. This lining blocks absorption, directing nutrients towards the lower small intestine and triggering a natural release of satiety hormones, including GLP-1.

Rahul Dhanda, CEO of Syntis, highlighted the opportunity presented by incretins in paving the way for alternative treatment mechanisms. According to Dhanda, incretins result in rapid but often unsustainable weight loss, with patients experiencing plateauing effects over time and encountering side effects that affect the therapeutic journey. Patients are now seeking complementary therapies to alleviate incretin side effects or replace them for long-term maintenance. SYNT-101 could be ideally suited for these needs, offering an alternative to incretins with promising safety and tolerability observed thus far.

Preclinical trials have shown encouraging outcomes for SYNT-101. Studies in rodents demonstrated full preservation of lean muscle mass alongside a consistent weekly weight loss of 1%. Additionally, extensive research involving more than 100 pig studies, conducted in collaboration with MIT, revealed the SYNT technology's capabilities in achieving 70% glucose blocking, enhancing enzyme activity by 20 times, and improving oral drug bioavailability by 4-10 times.

The recent funding will facilitate the launch of a Phase I obesity study of SYNT-101 by the end of the year, further cementing its potential. Additionally, Syntis plans to conduct a Phase I trial in mid-2026 for its second program, SYNT-202, an oral enzyme therapy targeting homocystinuria.

The funding round saw contributions from new investors, including Mansueto Investments, Woori Venture Partners, and Apollo Labs, along with founding backers such as BOLD Capital Partners, W. R. Berkley Corporation, Safar Partners, Portal Innovations, Colorcon Ventures, and Cerity Partners Ventures. In a separate development, Syntis received up to $5 million in funding from the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. This financial support aims to enhance the continued development of the SYNT platform, which holds significant potential for delivering therapies directly to targeted gastrointestinal tissues and ensuring their sustained action.

With the obesity treatment landscape rapidly evolving, Syntis Bio is well-positioned to make significant contributions. The company's innovative technologies and robust financial backing could drive breakthroughs in creating effective, sustainable weight-loss solutions.