Obesity is a global epidemic affecting billions of people, with the World Obesity Federation predicting that over 4 billion people will be living with overweight or obesity by 2035 if current trends continue. Current treatments often focus on appetite suppression or caloric absorption, which can lead to side effects such as gastrointestinal issues, rebound weight gain after discontinuation, and loss of muscle mass. These treatments also typically require injectable delivery, which can be inconvenient for patients. There is a significant unmet need for innovative treatments that can effectively and sustainably address obesity by promoting fat loss while preserving muscle mass, offering a more holistic and patient-friendly approach to managing this complex disease.

Tanai Therapeutics is addressing this unmet need by developing an oral therapeutic that targets a novel, genetically validated mechanism crucial to energy expenditure. This unique approach aims to selectively promote fat loss without affecting muscle mass, offering a promising new pathway for obesity treatment. Tanai’s solution stands out due to its focus on energy expenditure rather than caloric intake, potentially leading to more sustainable and effective outcomes with fewer side effects.

Tanai Therapeutics was founded in 2023 as a spin-off from the VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, based on groundbreaking research by Prof. Savvas Savvides and Prof. Charlotte Scott.

The team came together through a shared vision of leveraging cutting-edge scientific discoveries to develop novel treatments for obesity. Tanai’s foundation is built on proprietary discoveries from researchers at the VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, positioning the company at the forefront of obesity treatment development.

In the next few years, Tanai Therapeutics aims to advance its anti-obesity therapeutic through in-vivo proof-of-concept studies and move towards clinical development. Tanai is committed to securing additional financing to support its growth and achieve key milestones, ultimately aiming to revolutionize obesity treatment and improve patient outcomes globally.

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