Phenomix Sciences (Phenomix), the first commercial precision obesity medicine biotechnology company, today announces the publication of a landmark study validating the utility of its MyPhenomeTM genetic obesity test. Published in Cell Metabolism, the peer-reviewed study is the first published research validating the clinical utility of MyPhenome’s genetic risk score to help predict weight loss response to two commonly prescribed anti-obesity medication classes: GLP-1 receptor agonists and phentermine/topiramate.
Led by Andres Acosta, MD, PhD, and his research team at Mayo Clinic, the study, “Genetic and Physiological Insights into Satiation Variability Predict Responses to Obesity Treatment,” revealed MyPhenome test results can help reduce variability in response to obesity medications and enable clinicians to select more effective treatments based on a patient’s unique biology.
The study focused on an in-depth analysis of human satiation in more than 400 adults with obesity (BMI ≥30). The study analyzed both genetic and non-genetic factors that influenced variability in the calories needed to reach fullness, or satiation (“CTS” or Calories to Satiation) and included a retrospective analysis of Phenomix’s machine learning gene risk score for CTS (“ML-CTSGRS”). The ML-CTSGRS powers the insights generated by the MyPhenome test. The study demonstrated the clinical relevance of the CTSGRS by showing that individuals with a high CTS-GRS, or Hungry Brain phenotype, experience significantly greater weight loss when treated with phentermine/topiramate (phen-top), compared to those with a low CTS-GRS, or Hungry Gut phenotype.
Key findings include:
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Hungry Brain phenotype patients responded best to phentermine/topiramate: After 52 weeks of treatment, individuals with the Hungry Brain phenotype lost an average of 17.4% of their body weight, compared to 11.2% for those with the Hungry Gut phenotype (-17.4% ± 1.9 vs. -11.2% ± 1.8; p=0.01).
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Hungry Gut phenotype patients responded best to the GLP-1 liraglutide: At 16 weeks, individuals with the Hungry Gut phenotype experienced 6.4% total body weight loss, compared to 3.3% in those with the Hungry Brain phenotype (-6.4% ± 0.7 vs. -3.3% ± 0.8; p=0.0005).
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High predictive accuracy: The Calories to Satiation Genetic Risk Score (CTS-GRS) used in MyPhenome predicted medication response with up to 84% accuracy (AUC: 0.76 in men and 0.84 in women).
“We now have published evidence that a genetic test can help guide obesity medication selection based on individual biology, not just weight or BMI, supporting a more targeted approach to obesity treatment,” said Dr. Acosta, assistant professor of medicine at Mayo Clinic and co-founder of Phenomix Sciences and the study’s lead author. “This is a meaningful step forward in moving obesity care from trial-and-error to precision medicine.”
MyPhenome is a simple saliva swab that determines the root biological factors that can cause obesity and helps physicians personalize treatments for more effective weight loss. Previous clinical research has shown that phenotype-guided obesity treatments are twice as effective as traditional, one-size-fits-all methods. It is the first commercial precision medicine test for obesity and is in use at over 80 healthcare clinics nationwide.
“Publication of our test results in such a high-profile journal reinforces our commitment to patients and physicians that our products will be based on top quality science and leading-edge technology. It also validates our core belief that obesity should be treated based on every individual’s biology,” said Mark Bagnall, CEO of Phenomix Sciences. “MyPhenome can help identify who is most likely to benefit from different medications, potentially reducing side effects and improving adherence, while helping payers and providers avoid costly delays. The implications extend beyond clinical practice into how we design and conduct clinical trials for faster and more effective drug development. We’re proud to be working alongside Mayo Clinic to validate and scale this personalized approach.”
“Precision medicine has transformed fields like oncology, and this research is a powerful example of how obesity treatment is now following suit,” said James Madara, CEO of the American Medical Association and chairman of Health2047. “Health2047 is proud to have supported Phenomix Sciences as they pioneered this shift with tools like MyPhenome.”
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