Magdalena JV coca extract stops weight gain in mice study
Magdalena Biosciences, a joint venture of Jaguar Health and Filament Health Corp, announced positive preclinical results showing its coca leaf extract prevented weight gain in mice on a high-fat diet without reducing food intake or increasing physical activity. The drug candidate is designed for post-GLP-1 weight loss management to mitigate weight regain after stopping such medications. The 20-day study was conducted at the University of Calgary using coca leaf provided by Peru's ENACO.
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Magdalena Biosciences, a US-based joint venture formed by Jaguar Health and Canada-based Filament Health Corp, announced that a novel extract derived from leaves of the coca plant prevented weight gain in mice submitted to a high-fat diet without reducing food intake or increasing physical activity. The prescription drug candidate is intended for post-GLP-1 weight loss management and will be developed under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Botanical Guidance. The findings address the significant unmet need for safe, long-term weight management solutions due to the rebound effect often observed after stopping GLP-1 medications.
The 20-day preclinical study supports the thesis that the coca leaf extract may serve as a weight maintenance therapy following the cessation of GLP-1 therapy. It is common for people to regain weight after stopping GLP-1 medications because these drugs help reduce appetite and increase feelings of fullness while they are being taken. When treatment is discontinued, these effects diminish, and the body's mechanisms that regulate hunger and body weight may promote weight gain. Steven King, PhD, Jaguar's Chief Sustainable Supply and Ethnobotanical Research Officer and a founding Advisor to Magdalena, noted that a coca extract-based prescription drug developed under the FDA's Botanical Guidance is likely to have a low abuse potential.
Study Details
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Study Duration | 20 days |
| Location | University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada |
| Subject | Mice on high-fat diet |
| Outcome | Prevention of weight gain without reduced food intake or increased physical activity |
The coca leaf used in the research was provided by Empresa Nacional de La Coca (ENACO), a Peruvian state company. ENACO holds an Internationally Recognized Certificate of Compliance (IRCC) in compliance with the Nagoya Protocol requirements of Peru. Indigenous peoples in the Andean region have utilized coca for centuries to manage hunger and fatigue.
Magdalena Biosciences was formed in 2023 to develop novel, natural prescription medicines derived from plants for mental health and central nervous system indications. One Small Planet, founded by Will Peterffy, has committed funding of US$1,000,000 to the joint venture. The collaboration aims to develop pharmaceutical-grade, standardized drug candidates for weight gain prevention and mental health disorders.
What is the anticipated timeline for moving from preclinical mouse studies to human clinical trials?
How will the FDA Botanical Guidance pathway impact the speed and cost of development compared to traditional synthetic drugs?
What specific strategies will be employed to differentiate this product from existing weight maintenance therapies in the competitive post-GLP-1 market?
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