VIC Tech, a leading builder of high-impact, innovative life science companies, today unveiled icosiMED, a venture-backed biotech developing what could become the first oral medication that decreases fat while building muscle, thereby addressing a critical flaw in today's blockbuster weight loss drugs.
Unlike GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic™ and Wegovy™, which cause significant muscle loss and see 80% of patients quit within two years due to side effects, icosiMED's once-daily pill targets a novel mechanism: the prostaglandin transporter (PGT). By blocking PGT, the drug prevents dietary carbohydrates from being converted into stored fat while preserving lean muscle mass.
The Science Behind the Breakthrough
In preclinical models, eliminating PGT function produced striking results: 30% longer lifespan, reduced body fat, increased muscle mass, and enhanced endurance. Critically, these benefits occurred without restricting food intake, enabling people to eat normally.
Human genetic studies validate the approach: individuals naturally lacking functional PGT show extremely lean body composition, providing strong evidence the mechanism will translate to patients.
Addressing an Urgent Crisis
With 74% of American adults now overweight or obese and annual healthcare costs exceeding $170 billion, the need for better solutions is acute. Current GLP-1 drugs, despite generating over $40 billion in annual sales, face major adherence problems due to nausea, muscle wasting, and injectable delivery.
"We're not just creating another weight loss drug," said Sobha Pisharody, CEO of iCOSiMED. "We're targeting metabolic health itself—helping people lose dangerous fat while keeping the muscle they need for strength, mobility, and healthy aging."
icosiMED’s focus is on rapidly advancing its lead candidate toward the clinic and is actively pursuing partnering opportunities. For more information, please visit icosimed.com
About VIC Technology Venture Development
VIC's unique investment model sources innovation directly from universities nationwide, offering funding to form new start-up companies and advance these technologies. In addition to the initial capital, VIC provides its portfolio companies with business and scientific resources, including interim management, accounting, marketing, engineering support, and more. To learn more, visit victech.com