Pill alternative to Ozempic closer to hitting Australian shelves
That's the prediction from Australian diabetes experts, as the first phase three clinical trial data was released for a new type of medicine that lowers blood sugar.
Once-a-day pill Orforglipron was shown to imitate a naturally occurring hormone that helps regulate blood sugar and appetite, according to the study published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine.
'It's really, really exciting,' Australian Diabetes Society chief executive Associate Professor Sof Andrikopoulos told AAP.
'The reduction in blood glucose and weight with Orforglipron is similar, if not a little bit better, than the similar clinical trials that were done for Ozempic and Mounjaro.'
The results of the trials, involving 500 adults with type 2 diabetes, were unveiled at the American Diabetes Association annual meeting in Chicago over the weekend.
Reported side effects were similar to existing medications like gastrointestinal issues, while the drug company did not flag any unexpected safety concerns.
The trial focused on diabetes treatment and not specifically weight loss.
Other oral diabetes medications already exist but this medication is significant as it's the first synthetic treatment to reach phase three trials, Prof Andrikopoulos said.
He expected approval from the Therapeutic Goods Administration would be 'reasonable straightforward' once it receives an application by drug developer Eli Lilly, which also makes Mounjaro.
The synthetic chemical is easier to make than other drugs involving modified peptides and doesn't need to be refrigerated, hoping it would be cheaper and easier to transport to remote areas than injectable treatments.
'These are potentially disease modifying therapies, and in that respect it's a game-changer,' Prof Andrikopoulos said.
'In terms of managing types of diabetes and obesity, I think we are at the cusp of being able to make a significant impact on reducing obesity in Australia and around the world.'
Sydney-based Endocrinologist Associate Professor Ted Wu treats many patients with diabetes and said physicians had been 'crying out' for oral alternatives to incretin injections.
While optimistic about the findings, he cautioned it was not a 'head to head' trial measuring the effectiveness of Orforglipron against injections but said it appears the results were very similar.
'As it stands, this looks like it offers all the advantages of the current incretin injections, but with all the advantages of an oral once-a-day medication and hopefully with far fewer supply issues,' he said.
Prof Wu said looking at past performance, the TGA would probably take between 12 and 24 months to approve the new drug.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
9 hours ago
- Perth Now
Survey confirms vicious cycle of epilepsy and anxiety
After years of anxiety living with epilepsy Rosie Connell-Moller got her life back on track thanks to a game-changing implant that sends signals to her brain to calm it down. The 40-year-old is now a full-time nurse in Brisbane and proud of regaining her driver's licence exactly 20 years after her first seizure at age 19. "I had the 'grand mal' seizure which is everything happening at once, the falling, the shaking, the biting of the tongue," she tells AAP. "It's the one that freaks you out if you're to see it on a movie, even more in person." Now known as a tonic-clonic seizure, she had a second a week later and was diagnosed with epilepsy. It sparked years of different medications and treatments while going through a tough time in her life. Her marriage was breaking up, she had two young children to care for, her hopes of a career looked bleak and she lost touch with friends, which depressed her. "Because of everything going on with that, my seizures were heightened," she says. Like many others with epilepsy Ms Connell-Moller was subject to a vicious cycle: her anxiety prompting seizures and the "scary" seizures prompting more anxiety. A survey of 7800 Australians with epilepsy has found some 20 per cent live with depression, almost twice as many as within the general population. About 15 per cent also live with an anxiety disorder. A majority of respondents nominated stress (62 per cent) and sleep deprivation and exhaustion (55 per cent) as top seizure triggers while just over half reported low-to-average quality of life. The impact of the condition is felt more by those with drug-resistant epilepsy where anti-seizure medication alone can't bring adequate seizure control. It affects up to 30 per cent of people living with epilepsy. Ms Connell-Moller, who has drug-resistant epilepsy, is still on five medications but was fortunate to get onto VNS therapy in 2020. This is where a Vagus Nerve Stimulation device is implanted under the skin in the chest to send electrical impulses to the vagus nerve in the neck, which then sends signals to the brain to reduce the frequency and severity of seizures in drug-resistant cases. The therapy has been a game-changer for Ms Connell-Moller who says it's like a pacemaker that "helps to calm my brain down". The therapy allowed her to begin nursing studies and she now works full-time shifts and has bought her own home. Pushing to get her driver's licence back took a bit more effort, with further tests in hospital to show seizures were still happening but only for seconds at a time, not causing any loss of awareness. Ms Connell-Moller's first seizure fell on May 25 and exactly 20 years later she got her licence back. Her advice to others with epilepsy is to educate themselves about the condition and bug their GPs and specialists about trying different treatments, which led her to VNS therapy. She also advises having a support system of other people with epilepsy. Epileptic seizures create fear, anxiety and depression, and affect quality of life, according to Epilepsy Action Australia chief executive Carol Ireland. "A person is quite worried about what's going to happen and how they might be perceived," she says. Her first message to those with the condition is to make sure they are seen at a comprehensive epilepsy centre in a major hospital, with people often not knowing other treatment options are available. Secondly, ensuring that they know about the condition and understand different self-management techniques to recognise triggers for their seizures and take steps to avoid them. Associate Professor Lata Vadlamudi, a neurologist specialising in epilepsy at Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, says seizures are just the visible part of a much larger issue. "Beneath the surface lie critical and often overlooked challenges - mental health struggles, stigma, reduced productivity and employment, diminished quality of life and most tragically, an increased risk of death," she says. "To break the 'vicious life loop' so many people with epilepsy experience, we need to provide holistic care and support across multiple areas. "That's what the survey findings make clear." National Epilepsy Line 1300 374537. Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636
ABC News
9 hours ago
- ABC News
Scientists look to Indigenous history to manage flood risk in Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley
Accounts of floods recorded in Aboriginal oral history centuries ago could provide vital clues to how climate change will affect flood risk in the future. Scientists working on a disaster adaptation plan for the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley in Sydney's north-west are looking into the past to help predict the future. Stephen Yeo, senior flood risk specialist at the NSW Reconstruction Authority, said records at Windsor go back to the early days of European settlement. "On this river system, we have the longest record of floods in Australia from the early 1790s right up to the present," he said. "That's actually pretty short in geological time." The biggest flood recorded since European settlement was in June 1867. But there are early colonial accounts of Aboriginal elders describing an even bigger flood that happened eight years before the arrival of the First Fleet. "During that flood it apparently poured in torrents for seven nights and seven days," Dr Yeo said. He said this event changed what scientists know about the magnitude and frequency of flooding in the river system. "It suggests that the flood in 1780 was perhaps 2 or 3 metres higher than what we currently think is the record flood in 1867. "So that's actually really valuable information from that Aboriginal storytelling." Waterway scientist Daryl Lam is part of a team searching for traces of pre-settlement floods. "History is telling us what has happened before really can happen again, so if we can find evidence of big floods from the past, it gives us some understanding of what we can potentially see in climate change," he said. Samples of sediment have been collected from three locations high above the river bank. These samples will be taken back to a laboratory and analysed to pinpoint exactly when the sediment was deposited. Measurements taken at the site will allow researchers to calculate how high the floodwaters rose. "Here in the Hawkesbury-Nepean, we have gauge records that go beyond a hundred years," Dr Lam said. "If we take into account oral history, we might be able to push it out to 200 years or 500 if we are lucky. "With paleoflood reconstruction, we will be able to work out a longer timescale." Archaeologist Bec Chalker said evidence of Aboriginal occupation can be found in caves all along the river. "We find tools that are hidden up on crevices in the shelters, just like we would put our tools and kitchen utensils on a shelf at home." She said Indigenous knowledge built up over generations was proving to be a valuable resource. "We have a lot to learn, and I think people are more open to learning now." Climate change is adding to the flood risk with every degree of atmospheric warming increasing rainfall in the catchment by 8 per cent. Between 2020 and 2022, the area flooded six times. With 114,000 people now living on the flood plain, the NSW Reconstruction Authority is considering whether building levees and improving evacuation roads will help mitigate the risk. "Climate change is here, we have to factor it into today's decision-making," Dr Yeo said.
Sydney Morning Herald
11 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Could these apps help you live forever?
Would you want to live to 100? Maybe even 150? What if you could live forever? A century ago, health fanatics pinned their hopes on animal gland transplants – think monkey testicles sewn onto human testicles – in the belief it would restore youth and vigour, reversing the ageing process. Others turned to health tonics containing radioactive elements such as radium, which promised a youthful glow but often led to devastating results. More recently, tech billionaires have been injecting the blood of teenagers to try to rejuvenate their ageing bodies. In 2025, a new generation of health products is continuing the illustrious promise of living longer. Their websites are compelling: 'Peak health starts now'. 'We're your super app for health.' 'Future-proof your body.' The difference between now and 100 years ago? These fountains of youth are predominantly delivered via a smartphone – do not involve monkeys or young people – and are more anchored in actual science. Some of them are, at least. There are potentially billions of dollars on offer for the companies that can get there first. Biohackers, tech bros and the 'Huberman crowd' – followers of American neuroscientist and wellness podcaster Andrew Huberman – are early adopters of these new preventative care apps in pursuit of better sleep, healthier bodies and ultimately a desire to extend their lifespan. Proponents say that while many people already track their 10,000 steps and heart rates, most lack access to the deeper health data that could identify potential concerns before they develop into serious conditions. In the US, flashy apps such as Superpower are leading the charge. That app, co-founded by Australian expat Max Marchione, is already worth more than $US300 million ($453 million) and has more than 150,000 people on its waiting list. In Australia, a similar race is heating up, and some of its players are confident they can conquer the US, too. The apps are ballooning in valuation and hype but are facing their biggest test: can they broaden their customer base beyond early adopters and tech geeks to everyday users? Can they get mums and dads excited about biomarkers, gut microbiomes and toxins? An AI doctor in your pocket One of Australia's leading contenders is Everlab, which describes itself as the nation's leading personal longevity clinic. The start-up combines diagnostics, digital doctor consultations and AI to tackle chronic disease, and tens of thousands of Australians are on its waiting list. Everlab is led by chief executive Marc Hermann, who says the COVID pandemic prompted a new generation of people to become fanatical about healthcare and taking better care of themselves. His start-up charges $2999 annually for its longevity program, in which customers are screened for more than 1000 diseases, offered year-round diagnostics and provided a '50-year personalised health road map'. A cheaper tier for $1199 a year includes blood tests, doctor consultations and personalised intervention plans. If Everlab has its way, it might eventually replace GPs, according to Hermann. 'I really do believe that we will end up in this world where everyone will have their AI doctor in their pocket,' he says. 'The north star we are building towards is autonomous healthcare. So building a system that has all the context surrounding you, all your data, genetics, ethnicity, family history, and then creating a super personalised roadmap for your health. 'We want to build towards offering lifelong care that is deeply connected and holistic, versus just a one-off testing service.' To date, Everlab has processed more than 1 million biomarkers through full-body health testing, and says one in four test results are abnormal. For 2.5 per cent of members, the findings have been life-changing, according to Hermann, uncovering serious conditions such as blocked arteries, gastrointestinal tumours, early-stage cancers and congenital brain abnormalities. 'Our target audience is that 40-to-60 age range, people that want to have peace of mind and a clinician that they can really trust ... Just average Australians who are conscious about being on top of their health.' The company has raised $15 million to expand internationally and get a leg-up in the arms race. 'We are seeing a major shift,' Everlab investor Laura Sillam, principal at New York-based Left Lane Capital, said. 'From concierge clinics to diagnostics memberships and longevity programs, consumers are increasingly willing to invest out-of-pocket in proactive health solutions. This trend extends far beyond early adopters, biohackers or the so-called 'Huberman crowd' in coastal US cities. 'Demand is surging globally, with consumers showing a clear willingness to pay for superior healthcare experiences that prioritise personalisation and quality. We believe this shift isn't just a trend ... It's the future of healthcare.' 'The last health app you need' Everlab is far from the only local start-up attempting to corner the market. Sydney-based firm Bright is building the 'super app for health' and is courting US investors including venture capital giant Sequoia. Its app is far cheaper than rivals – just $20 a month, not hundreds or thousands – and is targeting 1 million users by the end of 2026. 'Our vision is to be the last health app you need,' the company's pitch deck to investors reads. 'We are building a $20 billion business in two years. One billion people use health apps today. Bright is ready to replace them all.' Those are bold claims and, so far, the company has racked up 6000 paying subscribers for its app, which pulls in health data from a user's Apple Watch or Garmin fitness tracker to create a full picture of health and then offer AI-generated insights and recommendations. Chief executive Bryan Jordan says building Bright from Australia has brought challenges, particularly given the limited financial capital on offer locally. 'We don't think the full picture of health should be reserved for the tech crowd. We're building Bright for everyone because everyone deserves to see their full picture.' Then there's Superpower. Arguably the hottest app in its class globally, its founding team in San Francisco have pulled in tens of millions in funding from Silicon Valley venture capital firms as well as celebrities Vanessa Hudgens, Steve Aoki, Logan Paul and NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo. For $US499 a year, the 'super app' offers a 24/7 concierge, and biannual lab testing that analyses more than 100 blood biomarkers across 21 categories, which executives say is 10 times more comprehensive than a standard physical. Tests take 10 minutes and are completed twice a year either at home or at one of 2000 partner labs across the US. Co-founder Max Marchione is a former student at St Aloysius College in Sydney's Milsons Point. A third of the app's 80 or so staff are Australians. 'The current healthcare system currently leaves most people visiting primary care doctors on a reactive basis after a problem arises, not before,' he says. 'We are on a mission to rescue 100 million people from the limits of traditional reactive care.' Others are taking a more extreme approach. Snake oil Bryan Johnson is a US-based millionaire who doesn't just want to live for 100 years, or even 150. Johnson wants to live forever. The subject of a recent Netflix documentary, Johnson has launched the Blueprint project which has a simple end goal: 'Don't die.' Johnson has spent $US4 million to date on obtaining immortality and calls himself 'the world's most measured man'. At one point he transferred blood plasma from his 18-year-old son – and gave some of his own to his 70-year-old father – but stopped after it didn't produce positive results. As The Guardian puts it: 'He rises at 4.30am, eats all his meals before 11am, and goes to bed – alone – at 8.30pm, without exception. In the intervening hours, he ingests more than 100 pills, bathes his body in LED light, and sits on a high-intensity electromagnetic device that he believes will strengthen his pelvic floor.' On his Blueprint website Johnson sells a range of supplements and pills, and even a bottle of olive oil called 'snake oil'. Closer to home, multimillionaire property developer Tim Gurner has made headlines for his radical biohacking regime. His Melbourne-based longevity club Saint Haven spruiks a $250,000 annual package offering annual full-body MRI, brain scans and monthly blood testing. 'Anything that is out there that's a biohacking or testing thing, I've done it,' he told Forbes Australia. 'From micro-dosing mushrooms to infrared saunas to steam to [smart ring] Oura, lymphatic drainage. Everything. I want to try everything and see what works for me.' Millionaires can afford to try anything. But can everyday Australians benefit from these contentious innovations? Professor Luigi Fontana from the University of Sydney, a world expert in longevity, says there's legitimacy in apps such as Everlab and Superpower. But he's also concerned the hype may be getting ahead of the science. 'These platforms have real potential to empower users with insights that complement – not replace – traditional healthcare, especially when integrated with regular check-ups and foundational habits like structured exercise programs, sleep and healthy nutrition,' he says. Loading 'But the promise only holds if the science is sound and the interventions are grounded in the best clinical evidence, not hype.' Hermann, chief executive of Everlab, says he thinks most Australians should want to sign up to his app. 'We don't want to build a luxury for service for the top 1 per cent,' he says. 'We think this is something that can help most people. Being data-driven is the solution to better care. 'We don't think it makes sense to run an MRI scan on every 18-year-old. We just believe that, if you have a certain set of risks, the potential upsides are way bigger than the downsides.'
