ANEW MEDICAL, INC. Pursues Neurological Approach to Treating Weight Loss and Eating Disorders through Melanocortin Receptor Binding Peptides

Rhea-AI Summary

ANEW MEDICAL, INC. (NASDAQ: WENA) has announced plans to develop therapeutics using novel proprietary peptides that selectively bind and activate melanocortin receptors on neuronal cells in the brain to treat weight loss and eating disorders. This approach is based on a worldwide licensing agreement with Teleost Biopharmaceuticals and the University of Arizona.

The company aims to target obesity and cachexia through orally administered peptide formulations, potentially offering a more affordable alternative to injectable semaglutide-based medications. Animal studies have shown promising results in weight loss and improved energy levels. This program aligns with ANEW's existing neuroscience initiatives and leverages the critical role of the central melanocortin system in regulating body weight.

Positive

• Worldwide licensing agreement secured for novel peptide-based therapeutics
• Potential for orally administered weight loss medications
• Targeting both obesity and cachexia (anorexia or sarcopenia)
• Promising results from animal studies showing weight loss and improved energy levels
• Potential for more affordable treatment compared to existing semaglutide-based medications

Negative

• None.

• Melanocortin receptors on neurons in the brain control feeding and weight loss
  
• Patented peptide molecules delivered orally as a pill can control feeding disorders and weight loss

NEW YORK, Aug. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ANEW MEDICAL, INC. (NASDAQ: WENA) has announced that, as a result of its worldwide licensing agreement with Teleost Biopharmaceuticals and the University of Arizona, it plans to pursue the development of therapeutics using novel proprietary peptides that selectively bind and activate melanocortin receptors on neuronal cells in the brain. The neurobiology of overeating and obesity is well known, and the melanocortin-3 and melanocortin-4 receptors are definitively involved in the control of eating disorders and obesity.

Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) indicate that the state of being overweight and obese constitutes the fifth leading risk for death globally. At least 2.8 million adults die each year as a result of being overweight. In addition, 44% of diabetes mellitus cases are attributed to excess weight. Certainly, the discovery by Novo and Lilly of the diabetes medicines based on semaglutide (Ozempic™, Wagovy™, Rebelsus™) have had a major impact on weight loss and obesity, both healthwise for obese patients and financially for the pharmaceutical companies. Semaglutide acts like something your body naturally produces called glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1). This drug binds to the GLP-1 receptors in your body, making you feel less hungry and more full. It also helps lower blood sugar levels, similar to the function of insulin which it releases from the pancreas. However the side effects of the acute and chronic use of these GLP-1 agonists may, in certain cases, be problematic and not fully understood.

Dr. Joseph Sinkule, Founder and CEO of ANEW, commented: "Through our agreements with Teleost and the University of Arizona, we have licensed patents and know-how to develop pharmaceutical products for weight loss and eating disorders. This program fits in well with our other neuroscience programs and we believe this program is quite compelling. The eating disorders we plan to target will include obesity (overeating) but also cachexia (anorexia or sarcopenia). Studies in animal models of obesity show that we can administer the peptide formulations by mouth (orally) instead of by injection (e.g. the semaglutides) and the authors of those studies have observed weight loss and improved energy levels. Small peptides can be synthesized and administered orally, which we expect to enable these medications to be significantly more affordable than the retail cost of the semaglutides.”

The central melanocortin system in the brain plays a critical role in regulation of body weight. Melanocortins are bioactive peptides derived from a common pre-hormone produced in the brain’s hypothalamic region called “POMC” that is converted to α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH), a major regulator in the brain of feeding and weight loss. Numerous studies have demonstrated that the hypothalamic melanocortin system is critical for the maintenance of body weight and energy homeostasis.

About ANEW MEDICAL, INC.:
ANEW MEDICAL, INC. (NASDAQ: WENA) is a biopharmaceutical company specializes in the development of patented, novel disease-modifying technologies targeting the brain and central nervous system (CNS). The Company has obtained exclusive worldwide rights to platform technologies and knowhow to develop cutting-edge peptide, protein, gene and cell therapies to treat age-related pathologies such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease, ALS, multiple sclerosis and rare neurodegenerative diseases. The Company is also pursuing other programs and product candidates in the general area of neurosciences. ANEW Medical is managed by a team of individuals and advisors that are highly experienced in biopharmaceutical product development and commercialization.

For more information, contact:
Investor Relations
Eric Boyd
Email: IR@anewmeds.com

Forward-Looking Statements:
This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the forward-looking statements in this press release include descriptions of the Company’s future commercial operations. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, such as the Company’s inability to implement its business plans, identify and realize additional opportunities, or meet or exceed its financial projections and changes in the regulatory or competitive environment in which the Company operates. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the documents filed or to be filed by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) from time to time, which could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Copies of these documents are available on the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. All information provided herein is as of the date of this press release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

FAQ

What is ANEW MEDICAL's new approach to treating weight loss and eating disorders?

ANEW MEDICAL is developing therapeutics using proprietary peptides that selectively bind and activate melanocortin receptors on neuronal cells in the brain to treat weight loss and eating disorders.

How does ANEW MEDICAL's (WENA) approach differ from existing weight loss medications?

ANEW MEDICAL's approach involves orally administered peptide formulations, potentially offering a more affordable and convenient alternative to injectable semaglutide-based medications like Ozempic and Wegovy.

What eating disorders does ANEW MEDICAL (WENA) plan to target with its new therapeutics?

ANEW MEDICAL plans to target both obesity (overeating) and cachexia (anorexia or sarcopenia) with its new melanocortin receptor-binding peptide therapeutics.

What results have been observed in animal studies of ANEW MEDICAL's (WENA) weight loss peptides?

Animal studies of ANEW MEDICAL's orally administered peptide formulations have shown weight loss and improved energy levels in models of obesity.