From lab bench to clinic trials
Pioneering research at Stockholm University paves the way for development of a new first-in-class oral therapy to combat obesity and diabetes.
Scientific research from the Tore Bengtsson group at the Department of Molecular Biosciences has evolved into a potential new anti-obesity and diabetes drug, with groundbreaking results published in the journal Cell. The drug, ATR-258, utilizes the β2-adrenergic receptor to produce exercise-like effects. In models of obesity and diabetes, it drove healthy weight loss by reducing fat while preserving muscle, an effect also observed in models of sarcopenia. Crucially, ATR-258 was shown to rescue the muscle loss induced by GLP-1 analogue therapies, addressing a major drawback of current leading treatments. After successful first-in-human studies, the drug is now advancing to Phase 2 clinical trials.
The paper’s findings highlight that the β2-adrenergic receptor is not a simple “on/off” switch, but an allosteric multiprocessor that can activate distinct signalling pathways. The Bengtsson group designed ATR-258 to steer the receptor towards beneficial pathways that stimulate skeletal muscle glucose uptake and protein synthesis, while avoiding the cAMP pathway linked to cardiovascular risks. Compared with existing β2-agonists, ATR-258 was deemed safe and well-tolerated in initial human studies, providing a strong foundation for further clinical development.
“For the first time, we’ve shown it’s possible to separate the metabolic benefits of a β2-agonist from the cardiovascular risks—a major hurdle in the development of these therapies,” says Professor Tore Bengtsson. “Our breakthrough opens new possibilities for treating not just diabetes, but a range of metabolic dysfunctions. We are incredibly excited to see what the future will bring.”
The discoveries presented in the paper were made possible through close collaboration with international experts in pharmacology, structural biology, and medicinal chemistry. The study involved scientists based in Sweden, Denmark, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Latvia. An important co-author was Assistant Professor Shane Wright at Karolinska Institutet, who played a key role in characterizing the GPCR signalling pathway underpinning ATR-258’s muscle-specific effects.
Read more about group Bengtsson research.
Read SU:s article on the central webpage.
Read the full article in the journal Cell.
Last updated: June 24, 2025
Source: MBW