Researchers at Stanford Medicine have identified a naturally occurring peptide that mimics the appetite-suppressing and weight-loss effects of Ozempic (semaglutide) while appearing to avoid many of its unpleasant side effects.
The molecule, named BRP (BRINP2-related peptide), significantly reduced food intake and promoted fat loss in animal studies without causing nausea, constipation, slowed digestion, or muscle loss — common complaints among users of GLP-1 medications.
A More Targeted Approach to Appetite Control
Unlike semaglutide, which activates receptors throughout the body (including the gut and pancreas), BRP appears to act more selectively in the hypothalamus — the brain region responsible for regulating hunger and metabolism.
“The receptors targeted by semaglutide are found in the brain but also in the gut, pancreas and other tissues,” explained senior author Katrin Svensson, PhD, assistant professor of pathology at Stanford. “That’s why Ozempic has widespread effects. In contrast, BRP appears to act specifically in the hypothalamus.”
This precision could make BRP a breakthrough in wellness and metabolic health, offering effective weight management with a cleaner side-effect profile.
AI-Powered Discovery of a 12-Amino-Acid Peptide
The discovery was made possible by a custom artificial intelligence tool called Peptide Predictor. The algorithm scanned 20,000 human protein-coding genes to identify promising peptides derived from prohormones. From thousands of candidates, researchers tested 100 peptides on brain cells. One tiny 12-amino-acid fragment produced a response ten times stronger than GLP-1, the hormone Ozempic mimics.
In follow-up animal tests:
- A single injection of BRP reduced food intake by up to 50% within one hour in lean mice and minipigs.
- Obese mice given daily injections for 14 days lost an average of 3 grams (primarily fat), while untreated mice gained weight.
- Treated animals showed improved glucose and insulin sensitivity.
- No changes in movement, anxiety, water intake, or digestion were observed.
Promising Future for Wellness and Fitness
Svensson and lead author Laetitia Coassolo, PhD, have co-founded Merrifield Therapeutics to advance BRP toward human clinical trials. The team is now working to identify the exact receptors involved and develop longer-lasting versions of the peptide.
“The lack of effective drugs to treat obesity in humans has been a problem for decades,” Svensson said. “Nothing we’ve tested before has compared to semaglutide’s ability to decrease appetite and body weight. We are very eager to learn if it is safe and effective in humans.”
This exciting development could reshape the future of non-invasive weight management, giving fitness enthusiasts and those struggling with obesity a potentially safer, more natural tool to support sustainable fat loss and metabolic health. Human trials are expected to begin soon.