Table of Contents
SAN FRANCISCO – A groundbreaking study from Olio Labs has identified key biological differences explaining why women experience more severe side effects from GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic and Zepbound. With obesity affecting two billion people worldwide and the obesity treatment market projected to reach $200 billion by 2031, this research could significantly impact future therapeutic approaches.
Olio Labs, founded in 2023 by leading neuroscientists and computational biologists, takes an innovative approach to drug development. Rather than focusing on individual molecules, the company’s AI-powered Combination Design Engine (CoDE) maps entire biological systems to create personalized treatments. This patient-first approach aims to improve drug efficacy while minimizing adverse effects.
Breaking down the biological divide
The study sheds light on significant sex-based differences in GLP-1 drug responses, addressing a long-overlooked gap in medical research. Women, who make up 70% of GLP-1 users, experience a 2.5 times higher rate of nausea and vomiting than men despite achieving greater weight loss. Olio Labs’ findings suggest that hormone levels and receptor expression patterns are significant factors behind these disparities:
- Receptor expression: Female mice exhibited nearly double the GLP-1 receptor expression in brain regions linked to nausea, a pattern that may explain why women experience more severe side effects.
- Hormone-drug interaction: Higher estrogen levels correlate with an increased likelihood of adverse reactions.
- Personalized dosing potential: Adjusting GLP-1 medication dosages based on menstrual cycle phases could mitigate side effects and improve adherence.
“This isn't just about improving GLP-1 drugs—it's about rethinking how we design future therapies for real-world patients from the start,” said David Tingley, PhD, co-founder and CEO of Olio Labs. “By discovering these fundamental sex-based differences in drug response, our research opens the door to more personalized treatment approaches that could significantly improve outcomes for millions of patients.”
Harnessing AI for personalized medicine
Olio Labs' proprietary CoDE platform integrates vast datasets and biological insights to accelerate drug development and optimize treatment strategies. The platform utilizes:
- 120 million patient electronic medical records to analyze real-world drug responses.
- In-vivo phenomic screening to predict clinical trial outcomes.
- Neural and endocrine circuit mapping to uncover key physiological interactions.
- AI-driven biological modeling for precision medicine advancements.
Olio Labs has secured $4.5 million in funding from top investors, including Boom Capital, Overwater Ventures, SciFounders, and Y Combinator. The company’s advisory board includes industry leaders such as Patricia Martin (former COO of Eli Lilly Diabetes) and Michael Schwartz (Professor of Medicine at the University of Washington).
“Olio is redefining the future of medicine by using technology to reinvent the drug discovery process with physiology at the center – effectively addressing the needs of patient populations that have long been overlooked and bridging the gender divide in pharma," said Kristina Simmons, founder and managing partner of Overwater Ventures. "Obesity is one of the largest problems in America right now, and Olio's research will help millions of women have a better solution without the side effects.”
To learn more, read the paper On the Sex Differences in GLP-1 Signaling Across Species
