Utah scientists find PapB enzyme extends diabetes and weight-loss drug effects
Updated
Updated · NewsBytes · May 2
Utah scientists find PapB enzyme extends diabetes and weight-loss drug effects
4 articles · Updated · NewsBytes · May 2
University of Utah researchers said PapB can stabilise peptide medicines, potentially improving treatments such as Ozempic and Wegovy, according to findings published on 2 May 2026.
The enzyme forms durable ring structures that help drugs remain active longer in the body, which researchers say could make existing medicines stronger and more reliable.
Co-author Karsten Eastman said the approach may also enhance peptide-based therapies for gastrointestinal disorders and cancer, pointing to broader next-generation drug development.
Will this scientific 'upgrade' for Ozempic lead to more affordable treatments or just higher profits for pharmaceutical giants?
This enzyme can upgrade diabetes drugs. What other incurable diseases could be targeted by making fragile medicines last longer inside the body?
As a new enzyme supercharges weight-loss drugs, what hidden long-term health risks could be amplified along with their benefits?
PapB Enzyme Enables Next-Generation Stable Peptide Therapeutics with Extended Half-Life and Reduced Side Effects
Overview
In 2025, University of Utah chemists Bandarian and Eastman discovered the PapB enzyme, which enables enzymatic stapling to create stable polymacrocyclic peptides. Unlike traditional methods, PapB works without leader sequences and accepts non-natural amino acids, greatly expanding drug design possibilities. This stapling enhances peptide stability and extends their half-life, allowing less frequent dosing and improved efficacy, especially for GLP-1 therapies addressing diabetes and obesity. The technology also reduces side effects, improving patient adherence, and opens new therapeutic avenues in neuroprotection, oncology, and antimicrobial treatments. Founded to commercialize this breakthrough, Sethera Therapeutics is advancing PapB-based drugs toward clinical trials projected for 2027-2028, aiming for market approval by 2030.