Phenomix Sciences, a California-based precision medicine biotechnology company specializing in obesity, has initiated a clinical trial to assess the ability of its phenotyping MyPhenome test to predict weight loss responses to semaglutide.
The test determines whether a person has abnormal satiety (Hungry Gut), and those identified as Hungry Gut positive experience a more significant weight loss effect when using semaglutide.
Last year, Phenomix published findings from a retrospective study at the Mayo Clinic. The results indicated that patients classified as Hungry Gut positive via the MyPhenome test lost nearly double the weight on semaglutide compared to those classified as Hungry Gut negative.
A growing market for obesity treatments
In recent years, weight loss therapies have surged in popularity. The market is primarily led by Novo Nordisk’s glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) agonist Wegovy (semaglutide), which, along with Saxenda (liraglutide), another obesity medication from the company, achieved sales of DKK65.1 billion ($9 billion) last year.
Another significant competitor in the obesity market is Eli Lilly’s dual GLP-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor agonist Zepbound (tirzepatide), which brought in $4.9 billion in sales in 2024.
Many pharmaceutical companies are focusing on enhancing their obesity treatment pipelines. Recently, AbbVie signed a $2.2 billion licensing deal for Gubra’s obesity treatment, GUB014295. Roche also expanded its obesity pipeline with a $5.3 billion deal with Zealand Pharma to jointly develop and commercialize the latter’s amylin analog, petrelintide, as a standalone therapy and as a fixed-dose combination with Roche’s lead incretin asset CT-388.
While patients have seen significant weight loss with GLP-1 therapies like Wegovy, its response varies from person to person. The weight loss also varies by dose, with Novo Nordisk currently evaluating higher doses of Wegovy.
MyPhenome clinical trial
The prospective, placebo-controlled clinical trial will evaluate the efficacy of semaglutide in patients with obesity with either a positive or negative MyPhenome test result for abnormal satiety. The study is currently enrolling participants. It is funded in part by a $2.3 million Phase II Small Business Innovation Research Grant from the US National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Mark Bagnall, CEO of Phenomix Sciences stated: “This first-in-human clinical study is another important step for Phenomix in advancing precision obesity treatment. As GLP-1 medications reshape obesity treatment, this study ensures they are used more effectively by matching patients to the right interventions based on their biology.”
The MyPhenome genetic obesity test uses a simple cheek swab to identify the “biological factors, or phenotypes” that cause obesity. Phenomix noted that healthcare providers can use this information to develop customized treatment plans, including lifestyle and diet interventions as well as medication and/or procedure recommendations.
