GLP-1 receptor agonists such as Ozempic and Wegovy have transformed the treatment of obesity and diabetes, helping millions of people lose significant weight. But these drugs come with a high rate of side effects: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and muscle loss. Many patients cannot tolerate them long enough to reach their treatment goals.
Researchers at Stanford Medicine have now identified a naturally occurring molecule — called BRP (Bile acid Receptor-binding Peptide) — that produces the same appetite-suppressing and fat-loss effects in animals as semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, but without several of the most common side effects. The discovery, published in July 2026, was made using AI-driven screening of thousands of human proteins.
BRP works through a different biological pathway than GLP-1 drugs. Instead of activating GLP-1 receptors in the gut and brain, BRP binds to a receptor on bile-acid signaling pathways that regulate metabolism and energy balance. This alternative mechanism appears to avoid the gastrointestinal distress that plagues many GLP-1 users.
In animal studies, mice treated with BRP ate less, lost more fat, and maintained better muscle mass compared to those on semaglutide. The molecule also improved insulin sensitivity and blood sugar control. The next step is human clinical trials, which Stanford plans to begin in 2027.
Knowledge takeaway: the natural molecule BRP activates bile-acid signaling pathways to suppress appetite and reduce fat without the nausea, vomiting, and muscle loss associated with GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic; human trials are expected in 2027.