Discovery
GUB-UCN2: Targeting body composition beyond weight loss
A new approach to obesity treatment
Obesity treatment is evolving, from focusing on total weight loss to focusing on quality of weight loss.
Loss of lean mass remains a key challenge in current therapies. Preserving, or increasing, muscle mass and function is essential for long-term metabolic health and physical function.
A differentiated mechanism
UCN2 is a peptide hormone that selectively activates CRHR2, a receptor involved in metabolic regulation across multiple tissues.
Activation of this pathway has the potential to impact:
- Adipose tissue
- Skeletal muscle mass and function
- Cardiometabolic systems
Gubra’s proprietary analogue, GUB-UCN2, is designed as a long-acting, highly selective CRHR2 agonist with a profile compatible with once-weekly dosing.
Driving favorable body composition
In preclinical studies, GUB-UCN2 demonstrated a clear shift in body composition:
- Increased lean muscle mass
- Reduced fat mass
- Improved metabolic markers, including leptin, blood glucose and triglycerides
A strong combination partner
GUB-UCN2 shows particularly strong potential in combination with incretin-based therapies:
- Preserves and increases lean mass during weight loss
- Further enhances fat mass reduction
- Restores lean mass already lost with incretin treatment
These data position GUB-UCN2 as both a protective and restorative component in future treatment regimens.
Advancing towards the clinic
GUB-UCN2 is progressing into a first-in-human Phase 1/2a trial evaluating:
- Safety and tolerability
- Pharmacokinetics
- Early efficacy signals
The study includes dedicated endpoints on muscle volume and function, reflecting our commitment to redefining outcomes in obesity treatment.
For further information
Contact us
Gubra
Hørsholm Kongevej 11B
2970 Hørsholm
Denmark
+45 3152 2650