Karolinska Researchers Develop Diabetes Pill Tested in 73 People as Ozempic Alternative
Updated
Updated · ScienceDaily · Jun 3
Karolinska Researchers Develop Diabetes Pill Tested in 73 People as Ozempic Alternative
3 articles · Updated · ScienceDaily · Jun 3
Summary
A Phase I trial in 73 participants—48 healthy volunteers and 25 people with type 2 diabetes—found the experimental pill was safe and well tolerated.
The tablet targets skeletal-muscle metabolism rather than appetite, aiming to lower blood sugar and boost fat burning while preserving muscle mass and avoiding common GLP-1 drawbacks such as digestive issues.
Animal studies cited in the Cell paper showed improved blood-sugar control and body composition, and researchers say the β2-agonist compound was engineered to limit the heart stimulation that has hindered similar drugs.
Atrogi AB is preparing a larger Phase II trial to test whether those metabolic benefits hold in people with type 2 diabetes or obesity, with the drug potentially used alone or alongside GLP-1 medicines.
The study also disclosed company ties: Atrogi funded the clinical trial, several authors work for or own shares in the company, and one lead researcher is its founder and a patent applicant.
A new pill promises fat loss without the muscle decay of Ozempic. Is this the end of the weight-loss drug trade-off?
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ATR-258: A First-in-Class Oral β2 Agonist Targeting Muscle Metabolism for Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity—Clinical Progress and Future Outlook (2026)
Overview
A new oral drug, developed through international collaboration involving scientists from Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm University, is showing promising results for treating type 2 diabetes and obesity. This innovative therapy uses a laboratory-developed β2 agonist molecule, setting it apart from existing treatments. The drug has already completed a Phase I clinical trial funded by Atrogi AB, with early assessments indicating positive outcomes for both conditions. These encouraging results are driving the drug forward into further clinical development, offering hope for a novel and effective approach to managing diabetes and obesity.