Wistar Institute Unveils One‑Shot DNA Platform for Long-Acting Weight‑Loss and Diabetes Therapies
The Wistar Institute reports a single‑dose plasmid DNA delivery system using electroporation to induce long‑acting incretin hormones GLP‑1 and GIP (named pLincretins) and a novel molecule, pSynCretin, in mice. A single dose produced detectable incretins for up to ~70 days and sustained weight loss and blood glucose control, outperforming the drug semaglutide after dosing stopped. Building on prior work showing DNA can make therapeutic proteins in the body, the platform aims to eliminate frequent dosing, with potential broader applications for other therapeutic proteins and possible immunological effects, pending human trials.