Overview

The FGF family contains 22 structurally related proteins involved in cell proliferation, differentiation, development, and metabolism. Among them, FGF1, FGF4, FGF19, and FGF21 play important roles in the regulation of insulin sensitivity, glucose and lipid metabolism, and systemic energy homeostasis. These FGFs have been found to have therapeutic benefits in the treatment of obesity and related complications. Some potential anti-obesity drugs targeting FGFs have been developed and have shown some weight loss in animal models. With industry-leading science, technology, and innovative solutions, Protheragen offers an innovative FGF-targeting anti-obesity therapeutic development service. Our extensive research experience provides reliable support for advancing the research of FGF-targeted anti-obesity therapeutics.

FGF-Targeting Anti-Obesity Therapy Development Through Cutting-edge Technologies at Protheragen

Our FGF-targeted anti-obesity therapy development process consists of multiple stages. Advanced laboratory equipment and a systematic management system enable us to solve various problems encountered by our clients in the research process. Specific services include the following:

Anti-Obesity Gene Therapy Development

Increasing the activity or level of endogenous FGF is a potential therapeutic avenue. Transgenic mice overexpressing the FGF21 gene are found to resist diet-induced weight gain and live longer. Using a variety of advanced tools, we perform gene editing on model organisms and evaluate the potential of this strategy in the treatment of obesity.

Anti-Obesity Drug Development

FGF analogs are novel anti-obesity molecules with favorable pharmacokinetic profiles that promote weight loss and improve hepatic steatosis and insulin sensitivity. We have a well-established anti-obesity drug development platform, combining multiple cutting-edge technologies to develop highly effective anti-obesity drugs with no toxic side effects.

• FGF analogs: FGF19 and FGF21 are responsible for the regulation of glucose, lipid metabolism, etc., and are potential strategies for the treatment of obesity due to their pleiotropic metabolic benefits and relatively safe pharmacological profile. Natural FGF has limitations in the treatment of obesity due to its proteolytic instability, poor biopharmacological properties, poor pharmacokinetic properties, and short half-life. The development of FGF analogs is needed to improve therapeutic efficacy. Currently, FGF21-like proteins have been developed, which play an anti-obesity role by stimulating brown fat thermogenesis and increasing lipocalin secretion in obese mice. Based on our deep understanding of the mechanism of action of FGF, we employ various biopharmaceutical engineering approaches to develop FGF19 and FGF21 analogs with improved biophysical, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic properties. This is a way to regulate lipid metabolism by sustained activation of related pathways. After developing analogs through genetic engineering techniques and other means, we also evaluate their anti-obesity effects and safety.
• Other strategies: In addition, we develop other anti-obesity therapeutic strategies targeting FGF, such as modulating other targets to increase the activity of endogenous FGF to exert anti-obesity effects.

Anti-Obesity Antibody Therapy Development

We also develop a series of long-acting FGF21-based antibodies, such as fusing it with an Fc fragment. By mimicking the biological functions of FGF21, these innovative antibodies demonstrate remarkable results in the treatment of obesity and a variety of metabolic diseases.

Preclinical Studies of Anti-Obesity Therapies

We provide the most comprehensive technical support and services for preclinical studies of our clients' anti-obesity therapies. Obesity model development, in vitro and in vivo therapeutic efficacy analyses, safety assessments, and toxicological evaluations are all completed. We have optimized the full range of assays to ensure fast turnaround and accurate results.

• Obesity Models: Mice are the animal model of choice for testing the in vivo metabolic effects of FGF analogs. In addition, we offer other In Vivo and In Vitro Models to assist in the analysis of obesity pathogenesis and FGF action, as well as the evaluation of anti-obesity therapies, relying on our extensive experience and dedicated modeling team.
  • Dietary induced models
  • Gene editing models
  • Other types of obesity models
• Evaluation of anti-obesity therapies: We are committed to providing customizable preclinical evaluation solutions for anti-obesity therapies. Our scientific team has strong expertise and has accumulated extensive research experience in preclinical pharmacology, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, bioanalysis, and safety assessment. We not only provide high-quality data for our client's drug development or preclinical research projects but also provide valuable guidance for the design of subsequent studies and optimization of therapies.

  Pharmacodynamics Study	Food/Water Intake Assessment Quantitative Analysis of Body Fat Distribution Energy Expenditure Monitoring Measurement of Ectopic Fat Accumulation Molecular Biomarker Analysis
  Pharmacokinetics Study	DMPK Study of Anti-Obesity Drugs ADME Study of Anti-Obesity Drugs
  Bioanalysis	Biological Analysis of Macromolecular Drugs Bioanalysis of Small Molecule Drugs
  Safety Assessment	Safety Pharmacology Studies Toxicology Studies

Workflow

We provide a comprehensive anti-obesity therapeutic development service targeting FGF, including a full range of experiments from anti-obesity therapeutic design, drug development, and obesity modeling, to preclinical studies.

Applications

• Several FGF21 analogs have good pharmacological properties and have shown promising results in correcting hyperglycemia and improving insulin resistance in diabetes models. The development of FGF analogs for the treatment of obesity may also have the potential for the treatment of diabetes.
• Many compounds targeting the FGF signaling pathway have been developed as potential drug therapies for malignant diseases such as cancer. Research on anti-obesity therapies targeting FGF provides valuable information for the development of effective cancer treatment strategies.
• Combining FGF analogs with other drugs may be a more efficient and promising drug therapy strategy.

Advantages

• Our professional team has extensive expertise in drug design, obesity modeling, and pharmacological studies targeting FGF. We provide consulting, experimental design, and data analysis support.
• We provide customized client-centric services and timely updates on the research progress of anti-obesity therapies targeting FGF.
• We have a wide range of cutting-edge technologies and fully support the development of innovative anti-obesity therapies targeting FGF.

Our Services for Obesity Research

Obesity risk assessment and pathogenesis studies are essential for the development of anti-obesity therapies. We have built a comprehensive analysis platform and provide efficient and reliable obesity-related analysis services to various obesity researchers. The scope of testing includes genetic, environmental, and metabolic factor analysis, diagnostic testing, biomarker testing, gene editing, and microbiological analysis. We also provide scientific weight loss and weight management services with real-time monitoring to detect weight loss and management effects.

Publication

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the link between FGF19 and obesity?

FGF19 is an intestinal hormone involved in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism and has shown promising benefits in the treatment of obesity and metabolic diseases. Injections of FGF19 have been found to reduce food intake, improve glucose tolerance, increase energy expenditure, and reduce body weight. The development of FGF19 analogs may help advance research into anti-obesity therapies.

What is the link between FGF21 and obesity?

FGF21 is a powerful metabolic regulator. As a powerful target for designing new therapies for obesity, it exerts direct anti-obesity effects by inducing glucose and energy expenditure, improving insulin sensitivity, and lowering blood glucose. FGF21 transgenic mice are found to be able to prevent diet-induced obesity. FGF21 analogs and gene therapies targeting FGF21 are potential novel anti-obesity therapies.

Protheragen provides services related to the development of FGF-targeted anti-obesity therapies using design excellence principles. We consistently meet our client's needs at every stage of the project and provide expert consulting and design support. Welcome to contact us with your needs and discuss the details with our scientists.

All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.

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