New pre-clinical data presented today at the World of Microbiome Conference suggest adding superabsorbent hydrogel to a high-fat “western-like” diet prevents unfavorable changes in the communities of gut bacteria associated with diet-induced weight gain
BOSTON, April 29, 2022 – Gelesis (NYSE: GLS), a consumer-focused biotherapeutics company and the maker of Plenity®, released today a poster presentation at the World of Microbiome annual meeting in Vienna. The pre-clinical study showed administration of one of the company’s proprietary superabsorbent hydrogels, Gel-B, significantly shifted the composition of the microbiome to a profile correlated with better metabolic health, including improved weight and glucose control. Adding Gel-B to a high-fat diet exponentially encouraged the growth of Akkermansia muciniphila, a bacteria associated with thickened mucosal lining of the gut, improved gut barrier function, and lean body mass. Furthermore, benchtop studies indicated that the 3-D structure and unique properties of Gel-B is required to support the increased growth of Akkermansia. These data suggest that superabsorbent hydrogels may offer additional therapeutic mechanisms promoting metabolic health beyond their space occupying properties.
“Obesity is a complex disease and recent research has shown that alterations of the gut microbiome may be one cause. It follows that interventions used to modify the microbiome could be important tools for the treatment of obesity,” said Neil Floch, MD, a bariatric surgeon and expert on obesity treatment at Nuvance Health in Norwalk, CT. “I look forward to seeing more clinical studies on this new class of materials and their potential mechanical benefits on gut health and the microbiome.”
Gelesis’ superabsorbent hydrogels are inspired by the composition and mechanical properties (elasticity or firmness) of ingested raw vegetables. They are taken by capsules with water before a meal to create a much larger volume of small, non-aggregating hydrogel pieces that act locally in the digestive system without adding any additional calories.
This new study aimed to define the gut microbiota associated with observed metabolic improvement and uncover how Gel-B may be driving compositional changes to these microbiota communities. After being fed a high fat diet (45% lard) for 12 weeks, the studied groups of mice were treated with a combination high fat diet and Gel-B, or a control of high fat diet alone for an additional 12 weeks. Fecal samples were collected at study weeks 12, 16, and 24. Results showed that mice fed Gel-B treatment in addition to a high fat diet had gut microbiota changes, including:
The increased abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila was confirmed in benchtop studies, where results indicated that the 3-D structure of Gel-B was required for this phenomenon. Un-crosslinked modified cellulose, a linear fiber with a much lower elastic response which is used as a building block of Gel-B, did not support the growth of this species.
“We were excited to see that, along with weight loss and changes in gut permeability, we saw beneficial changes in the gut microbiota,” said Maria Rescigno, PhD, Group Leader of the Mucosal Immunology and Microbiota Unit at Humanitas University in Milan, and one of the lead investigators on the study. “Most pronounced was an increase in Akkermansia muciniphila, which is known to be associated with metabolic health.”
An interview with study co-authors Alessandra Silvestri, PhD and Antonio Gil-Gomez, PhD is available at https://youtu.be/3YnzduqRyq8.
In previous studies, administration of one of these hydrogels, Gel-B, in addition to a high-fat diet, blunted weight gain, reversed gut atrophy, improved metabolic parameters, and restored gut barrier function.
Gelesis Holdings Inc. (NYSE: GLS) (“Gelesis”) is a consumer-centered biotherapeutics company and the maker of Plenity®, which is inspired by nature and FDA cleared to aid in weight management. Our first-of-their-kind non-systemic superabsorbent hydrogels are made entirely from naturally derived building blocks. They are inspired by the composition and mechanical properties of raw vegetables, taken by capsule, and act locally in the digestive system, so people feel satisfied with smaller portions. Our portfolio includes Plenity® and potential therapies in development for patients with Type 2 Diabetes, Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)/Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH), and Functional Constipation. For more information, visit gelesis.com, or connect with us on Twitter @GelesisInc.
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These filings address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements.
Media & Investor Relations
Katie Sullivan
ksullivan@gelesis.com
Source: Gelesis Holdings, Inc.