You could soon GROW your own Ozempic-like weight loss medication at home, scientists claim
YOU could soon grow your own Ozempic-like weight loss medication at home, scientists claim.
A team of students from Canada have developed a drug-making system called Phytogene, which could change how we produce medications.
They use the Nicotiana benthamiana plant to produce GLP-1 receptor agonists, the type of drug found in Ozempic.
The drug is sometimes known as a “skinny jab” despite its main purpose being a treatment for type 2 diabetes.
It works by making users feel full, causing the body to burn fat.
The Phytogene system uses a plant-based method called biopharming.
This could be cheaper and better for the environment than traditional drug-making methods.
“Inspired by the Ozempic shortage, we built a proof-of-concept model that expresses functional GLP-1 agonists in plants,” said project lead, Victor Boddy, from the University of Ottawa.
“We aim to create a future where people can grow their own treatments at home, free from concerns about cost, insurance, or availability.”
Since 2022, Ozempic has been hard to find due to high demand.
It has led to shortages for people with type 2 diabetes and created a market for counterfeit drugs.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) said it had been tracking rising reports of dodgy Ozempic all around the world since 2022.
UK health officials have already seized more than 600 potentially fake Ozempic pens across the nation since the start of 2023.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) warned patients were suffering from seizures and even being left in comas after injecting themselves with fake versions being sold at cut prices online.
While the shortage seems to be easing, Phytogene could help prevent similar issues in the future.
“Phytogene offers a unique, sustainable approach to biotechnology, providing an environmentally friendly solution to the crisis of medication access,” said co-leader Teagan Thomas.
“We’re excited to develop this into a commercially viable product with support from investors and scientific advisers.”
The team recently won a gold medal at the iGEM Grand Jamboree in Paris, competing against 430 international teams.
But the project is still in the testing phase. And the plant-based drugs have not been tested on humans yet.
“We’re currently analysing blood glucose and insulin levels to assess the response,” said Thomas.
“We also plan to conduct bioactivity assays to test the drug’s effectiveness on human cells.”
The team has also released a free biopharming toolkit for other researchers, which includes genetic tools for working with plants.
Phytogene, which started in late 2023, was created by 23 students from different fields at the University of Ottawa.
“The extract has not been tested on humans,” Victor confirmed. “We’re working on improving our testing methods.”
Fat jabs fact vs fiction
By Vanessa Chalmers
IN a world with soaring obesity rates, fat jabs have arrived and taken the world of the rich and beautiful by storm.
The injections have allegedly helped celebrities like Elon Musk, Sharon Osbourne and even Prime Minister Boris Johnson shed the pounds.
But there is a dark side to these “miracle jabs”.
UK health chiefs are investigating 20 deaths that have been reported as being potentially linked to the injections.
Several celebs, including model Lottie Moss and actor Stephen Fry, have opened up about all the horrible side effects they experienced while taking the jabs, from contorting on the floor to violent sickness.
Ian Budd, pharmacist for Chemist4U and MyBMI, says: “Using injectable weight-loss medications for cosmetic reasons or without a medical need is not recommended and can be potentially harmful.
“They are not a quick fix or a way to lose a few pounds before a holiday.
“Misuse of these medications can lead to serious health consequences and should be avoided.”
Dr Iqbal added: “They are for the management of chronic obesity, so they may not be the first step to take if your weight gain has been more recent or over a shorter period of time.”
Eligiblity hinges on having a body mass index of 30-35 (obese category), coupled with weight-related health issues such as hypertension or type 2 diabetes.
Fat jabs aren’t available over the counter, you need to have a prescription to take them.
Aside from getting a prescription via the NHS, you also have the option for paying for a private prescription.
Your eligibility will still need to be assessed by a pharmacist or GP, according to Click2Pharmacy.
But an influx of skinny jabs on the black market has resulted in people becoming sick and even risking death.
Experts warned a legitimate prescriber will have their credentials listed in registers provided by the General Medical Council or General Pharmaceutical Council and pharmacies should be registered with the GPhC