Is this the innovation we’ve all been waiting for?
The ketogenic diet, often hailed for its high-fat and low-carb principles, aims to induce a state called ketosis, wherein the body burns fat as its primary source of energy instead of carbohydrates. This approach has been known to help dieters lose as much as 10 pounds in the first two weeks—largely due to water loss—while sustainable weight reduction typically averages one or two pounds per week.
Recently, researchers at Bloom Science have introduced an experimental drug that aims to replicate the metabolic advantages of the keto diet—without requiring any sacrifices to your favorite foods.
Bloom Science CEO Christopher Reyes explained, “Our objective is to translate some of the metabolic mechanisms of the ketogenic diet into a daily oral therapy.”
The drug, known as BL-001, is currently in the early phases of clinical development, and further studies are required to confirm its safety and efficacy.
What sets this pill apart is its formulation of live bacteria typically found in our gut microbiome, a complex ecosystem of microorganisms crucial for digesting food, bolstering the immune system, and warding off disease.
The hypothesis is that certain bacterial strains may interact with the microbiome, potentially influencing processes related to fat metabolism and ketogenesis.
“Our initial findings suggest that interactions within the gut microbiome might modulate processes related to fat usage, appetite signaling, and broader metabolic control,” Reyes stated.
Reyes noted that BL-001’s specialized microbiome-targeted approach distinguishes it from conventional probiotics that primarily support gut health.
The research team is assessing the pill’s potential for significant weight loss, along with its effects on appetite regulation and overall metabolism.
In a Phase 1 trial, 24 healthy volunteers received BL-001, while eight participants were given a placebo over a period of 28 days.
According to Bloom, the overweight participants who received the highest dosage of BL-001 experienced a weight loss of 3.4% by the conclusion of the two-week follow-up.
A noteworthy 80% of participants who lost weight maintained their results two weeks after the treatment ended.
“In our Phase 1 clinical study, BL-001 was generally well-tolerated, with no serious adverse events reported,” Reyes mentioned.
“As with any emerging therapy, we are diligently studying its long-term safety in clinical trials. Ongoing research will closely monitor how these bacterial strains interact with the gut microbiome over time.”
Phase 1b trials are currently underway, with up to 48 obese adults being recruited across two clinical sites in Australia. Participants will receive BL-001 over a 12-week period.
While it’s still too early to assess how BL-001 compares to GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Zepbound, which mimic the GLP-1 hormone naturally produced by the body after meals, Bloom aspires to tap into an audience reluctant to undergo injections or concerned about potential gastrointestinal side effects.
“Our ambition is to create a therapy that could eventually be accessible to a broad patient population, provided that clinical trials continue to yield promising results,” Reyes concluded.
