What was done
A team led by Timo Müller, whose group developed the first GLP-1/GIP co-agonist, attached lanifibranor, an agonist of PPAR alpha, gamma and delta in development for fatty liver disease, to a GLP-1/GIP peptide using a linker that cleaves at low pH. After the peptide binds its receptors and is internalised, the pH change frees the small molecule to reach the nucleus. [1]
What was found
In mice the conjugate engaged two cell-surface incretin receptors and three nuclear PPARs, producing weight reduction and glycaemic effects the authors describe as potent and safe in that model. [1]
Limits
Mouse data only. Peptide–drug conjugates face manufacturing, stability and dosing questions before human testing; none is reported here. [1]
Funding
To be added from the paper's disclosure statement.
SOURCES
- C&EN. Not just GLP-1: peptide-drug conjugate hits 5 obesity targets. 30 Apr 2026. News report. https://cen.acs.org/pharmaceuticals/drug-discovery/glp1-gip-ppar-quintuple-agonist-obesity-diabetes/104/web/2026/04
- Nature. 2026. DOI 10.1038/s41586-026-10427-5. Peer-reviewed. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-026-10427-5
CHANGELOG · 5 Oct 2026 FIRST PUBLISHED · CORRECTIONS ARE ADDED HERE, NEVER HIDDEN