How to make a trillion dollar market weight loss drug (semaglutide)?

1. Target research and drug design Firstly, scientists conduct in-depth research on GLP-1 receptors. GLP-1 is an intestinal hormone that can promote insulin secretion, lower blood sugar, and suppress appetite, reducing food intake. The design concept of semaglutide is based on simulating the function of GLP-1 by activating GLP-1 receptors to exert its effects.

Using computer-aided drug design (CADD) technology, researchers designed the chemical structure of semaglutide based on the structural characteristics and binding modes of GLP-1 receptors.

Heavy weight! The weight loss drug market is expected to reach $150 billion by 2030! Synthetic biology and biomanufacturing companies, come and lay out!

2. Preclinical research cell experiments: In the laboratory, the synthesized semaglutide is cultured together with cell lines expressing GLP-1 receptors. Evaluate the binding and activation ability of semaglutide to receptors and determine its preliminary pharmacological properties by detecting the activation of intracellular signaling pathways, such as elevated cAMP levels.

Animal experiments: Drug experiments are conducted on animal models such as mice, rats, etc. Inject or orally administer different doses of semaglutide to animals and observe its effects on indicators such as blood glucose, body weight, and food intake.

Smeaglutide is a peptide drug that requires high-quality amino acid raw materials for production. These amino acids are usually obtained through chemical synthesis or biological fermentation methods. For some special and modified amino acids, specialized chemical synthesis steps may be required to prepare them.

At the same time, various chemical reagents and solvents, such as buffer solutions, protectants, etc., are required for the synthesis and subsequent processing of peptide chains.

Mainly using solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) technology. Firstly, connect the first amino acid to an insoluble resin carrier, which is the starting point for peptide chain synthesis. Then, through a series of chemical reactions, amino acids are added one by one according to the designed amino acid sequence.

In the process of peptide chain synthesis, strict control of reaction conditions is required, including temperature, reaction time, reagent concentration, etc.

Heavy weight! The weight loss drug market is expected to reach $150 billion by 2030! Synthetic biology and biomanufacturing companies, come and lay out!

Simeglutide has undergone some special chemical modifications to improve its pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties. 

For example, modifying fatty acid chains at specific positions on peptide chains can enable drugs to bind to albumin, thereby prolonging its half-life in the body and allowing it to continue to function in the body.

The synthesized crude semaglutide contains unreacted raw materials, by-products, and impurities. Purification is carried out through techniques such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

During the purification process, it is necessary to optimize the chromatographic conditions, such as selecting appropriate chromatographic columns, mobile phases, and elution conditions, in order to obtain high-purity semaglutide.

Strict quality testing is conducted on the produced semaglutide. Including chemical purity testing, determining the content of semaglutide in the drug through HPLC and other methods, as well as whether the types and contents of impurities meet the standards.

Perform biological activity testing, such as in vitro cell experiments or in vivo animal experiments, to re validate the pharmacological properties of the drug, ensuring that it can effectively activate GLP-1 receptors, exert the effects of lowering blood sugar and controlling weight.

Simeglutide that has passed quality testing will be packaged in suitable containers, such as injection vials or pre filled syringes. Packaging materials need to have good sealing, chemical stability, and protection against drugs.