Good news for those struggling with obesity and wishing to slim down. Recently, scientists from the Institut Pasteur de Montevideo (IP Montevideo) and the University of the Republic (Udelar), Uruguay, have proven that a small molecule called SANA can effectively burn fat.

This preclinical research, successfully tested on mice with a previously unexplored method, has delivered promising results: safe for humans.

SANA is the first drug in the world in several aspects:

• The first small-molecule drug produced by a South American biotechnology company, Eolo Pharma (founded by its discoverers).
• The first drug fully developed in Uruguay.

"These results open a new therapeutic pathway for obesity and metabolic disorders—complementing GLP-1 therapies. However, it focuses on enhancing the body’s energy-burning capacity, not merely suppressing appetite," said Carlos Escande, researcher at IP Montevideo and member of Eolo Pharma.

SANA has proven safe and well tolerated in humans. Although reducing body mass index (BMI) and blood sugar was not the primary goal of Phase I trials, the drug showed significant effects among 44 participants. The high-dose group lost an average of 3% body weight in just two weeks—without losing muscle mass—compared to the placebo group.

Moreover, SANA does not affect appetite, and it improves fasting glucose and insulin resistance without additional interventions. Unlike GLP-1 therapies, muscle mass remained preserved—and even increased in preclinical studies on mice.

No Serious Side Effects Reported

Encouragingly, no serious side effects were reported during the two-week trial, even at the highest dose (800 mg). Long-term impacts will be evaluated in the next phase of trials.

"Of course, there remain major challenges, but it is highly satisfying to see human trials follow the same trend as our laboratory models," said Karina Cal, lead author of the study and researcher at IP Montevideo.

Still, as with any drug, potential risks exist. Due to its permanent binding nature, if SANA attaches to non-target proteins, it could trigger unwanted biological changes or immune reactions.

These risks will be further studied in Phase II trials, set to begin in late 2025, involving a larger group of participants, including patients with type 2 diabetes.

"We are proud to be the first biotech company in South America to bring a small molecule from design to clinical trials," said Pía Garat, CEO of Eolo Pharma.

"We hope this pioneering therapy can help obesity patients worldwide," she added.

Source: Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, cited by Nature Metabolism