Atrogi announces Cell paper highlighting transformative potential of muscle-targeted therapy in metabolic disease

  • Atrogi’s breakthrough discovery enables chronic use of next-generation, highly selective β2-agonists for the first time in metabolic disease

  • First-in-class oral therapy ATR-258 mimics the effects of exercise – driving fat loss, increasing muscle, and improving metabolism – with broad potential in obesity, diabetes, and age-related muscle loss

  • ATR-258 is set to enter Phase 2 trials to confirm its ability to deliver exercise-like benefits, including fat loss, improved muscle strength, and better metabolic control, alone or in combination with GLP-1 therapies

Stockholm, Sweden, June 23, 2025 – Atrogi AB, a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering muscle-targeted therapies, today announces the publication of a landmark study in the prestigious scientific journal Cell, titled “GRK-biased adrenergic agonists for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity.” This paper highlights Atrogi’s first-in-class oral β2-adrenergic receptor agonist, ATR-258, which precisely activates skeletal muscle metabolism through novel GRK2-biased signaling. This transformative approach enhances glucose uptake and improves body composition by reducing fat and preserving lean muscle without the cardiovascular risks typically associated with β2-agonists.

“This marks a pivotal step in unlocking the full therapeutic potential of muscle-targeted β2-agonists,” said Professor Tore Bengtsson, senior author of the study, Chief Scientific Officer, and Founder of Atrogi. “Our research elucidates a novel signaling pathway that avoids the cardiac side effects of β2-agonists and provides compelling proof that ATR-258 can actively reshape body composition – reducing fat while preserving muscle mass – all without requiring dietary restriction. That’s an unprecedented therapeutic profile.”

Additionally, when combined with GLP-1 receptor agonists, ATR-258 avoids the critical shortcomings of current obesity and diabetes treatments by preventing the muscle loss typically associated with these therapies.
Associate Professor Morten Hostrup from the University of Copenhagen added: “This development offers patients a unique treatment option that does not require compromising muscle in the pursuit of weight loss. The potential applications of ATR-258 extend well beyond obesity and diabetes, encompassing a range of muscle-wasting conditions. By preserving muscle mass while supporting improved glucose regulation, ATR-258 may represent a significant advancement in therapeutic approaches across multiple clinical areas.”

The study will appear in the September 2025 issue of Cell and includes co-authors from multiple leading institutions across Europe and Australia. The breakthrough is the result of a long-term academic and industry collaboration led by Atrogi, together with scientists from Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm University, the University of Copenhagen, University of Nottingham, Monash University, and the University of Queensland. A key contributor was Assistant Professor Shane Wright of Karolinska Institutet, a leading expert in G protein–coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling, who co-elucidated the GRK2-biased mechanism that underpins ATR-258’s muscle-specific effects.
Key findings from the Cell study include:

  • Development of GRK2-biased β2-agonists with potent effects on skeletal muscle metabolism and glucose uptake

  • Prevention of muscle loss and improvement of metabolic health in preclinical models of type 2 diabetes, obesity, sarcopenia, and GLP-1–induced muscle wasting

  • Favorable safety profile confirmed in long-term rodent and canine toxicology studies

  • First-in-human trial data demonstrating safety and tolerability in both healthy volunteers and patients with type 2 diabetes

Alexandra Ekman Ryding, Chief Executive Officer of Atrogi, said: “We are excited by the findings of this paper which emphatically validate the potential of our novel compound to provide a disease-modifying treatment to those suffering with metabolic disorders. It is a testament to the drive, talent, and dedication of our world-class team that we are now Phase 2 ready. This proof-of-concept not only validates our approach but also demonstrates the strength of our proprietary discovery engine. It showcases what our broader platform is capable of – unlocking a pipeline of precision therapies that can address major unmet needs in metabolic and muscle-related diseases.”

In the near term, Atrogi is advancing ATR-258 into Phase 2 clinical trials, which will evaluate its ability to deliver exercise-like benefits, including fat loss, improved muscle strength and function, and better metabolic control – both as a monotherapy and in combination with GLP-1 receptor agonists.

 

For media or partnership inquiries, please contact:

Alexandra Ekman Ryding, CEO, Atrogi AB
alexandra@atrogi.com

Optimum Strategic Communications

Hana Malik, Isabelle Abdou, Joshua Evans
+44 (0)20 3882 2119 | atrogi@optimumcomms.com

Atrogi participates in EASD Annual meeting

Along side leading Big Pharma companies Atrogi participated in the 58th European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) Annual meeting in Stockholm!

New patent granted

Atrogi is developing novel compounds and treatments of metabolic disorders and a robust patent portfolio has been generated to develop the commercial asset and increase value. Several patents have already been granted; here are two of the more recent from June and August.

US 11,357,757
Heteroaryl substituted beta-hydroxyethylamines for use in treating hyperglycemia

US 11,427,539 
Beta-hydroxy heterocyclic amines and their use in the treatment of hyperglycemia

Anders Ekblom as new chairman of the board

Atrogi welcomes Anders Ekblom as the new chairman of the board.

Anders Ekblom has extensive experience as an executive and leader with broad business knowledge from senior roles in the biopharmaceutical industry, with global experience delivering products, projects, productivity and change management.

He is currently Chairman/Non-Executive Board member of several biotech companies namely AnaMar AB, Alligator Bioscience AB, Elypta AB, Mereo BioPharma Group Plc, and Xspray Pharma AB.

During two decades at AstraZeneca, Anders was a member of global executive teams including being Executive VP Global Medicines Development, Global Head Clinical Development, Global Therapy Area Head, and CEO.

Anders is also a board-certified MD (Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care), PhD, DDS, and Associate Professor at Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden, and a fellow of the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences.

Atrogi receives Eurostars grant to develop obesity project

Atrogi is one of a few companies to be selected for a prestigious grant from Eurostars, an initiative of the European Commission that promotes research, and the intergovernmental innovation network EUREKA. The application was done in consortium with Stockholm University, Maastricht University, the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis and Excellerate Bioscience. The grant awarded is approx. 1 million EUR.

“We are very proud to we receive this grant and see it as a recognition of our unique discovery of receptor signaling. Our project was ranked 31 out of 449 applications, and this funding will be important for our development of a new treatment for obesity,” said Alexandra Ekman Ryding, CEO of Atrogi.

Eurostars is a funding and support programme for European research-based small and medium companies’ development of innovative products and services. The programme, which has a 1.14 billion EUR budget for the period 2014-2020, is financed by the European Commission and 36 Member State budgets. The jury’s decision was based on a variety of criteria related to innovation and development, market and commercial potential, as well as expertise of the partners behind the project. This is the second time that Atrogi receives funding from Eurostars.

“Obesity is a growing public health problem and finding new forms of treatment is extremely important to us from a societal perspective. We have high hopes for this groundbreaking project that is being implemented with distinguished researchers from top-tier European universities, institutes and organizations,” said Alexandra Ekman Ryding. The project is expected to begin in this fall.

Atrogi has completed a SEK 90 million rights issue

Diabetes company Atrogi has completed a SEK 90 million rights issue for the continued in-house development of a new class of diabetes drug

The Swedish diabetes company Atrogi has recently completed a rights issue, raising approximately SEK 90 million. Among the anchor investors is South Korea’s largest venture capital company Korea Investment Partners (KIP).

“We see the investment by such a strong and experienced player as KIP as powerful confirmation of our groundbreaking research and the market potential for the drug we are developing. In addition, being able to do so in the middle of the corona crisis also sends a strong message,” says Alexandra Ekman Ryding, CEO, Atrogi.

Atrogi is developing a new drug based on a completely new and unique principle for the treatment of diabetes type 2. The patented substance stimulates glucose uptake in muscle cells and is a treatment that is insulin-independent, a significant advantage as the insulin system functions less effectively in diabetics. Pre-clinical trials show several positive effects over and above the primary goal of reducing blood sugar levels in patients.

Atrogi’s drug candidate is currently undergoing pre-clinical development and with the new capital injection, the plan is to carry out a clinical Phase 1 study in 2021. This is a significant and important stage in the process of developing a whole new class of oral type 2 diabetes drugs.

“Current treatments for type 2 diabetes in large part aim to overstimulate the already dysfunctional insulin-based system, and seldom work well. Over time, this means poor efficacy and a risk of serious illness. Our treatment principle is based on a fully functional system in the body which means that these problems can be avoided,” says Professor Tore Bengtsson, founder of Atrogi.

About Korea Investment Partner (KIP)

Korea Investment Partners is Asia’s leading venture capital and private equity firm with 46 active funds and over $2.9B of assets under management. KIP invests in early stage ventures to growth stage companies, across different industries. Recent investments include Vaccitech (UK), PDC Line Pharma (Belgium-France), EnlivexTherapeutics (NASDAQ: ENLV), and Inovio Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: INO). KIP operates globally from its Seoul headquarters, with other offices in Silicon Valley, Singapore, and China (Shanghai, Beijing, Chengdu, and GuangZhou).

BIO-Europe 2017 in Berlin

Atrogi meets several pharmaceutical companies

Atrogi participated in BIO-Europe 2017 in Berlin, which is the largest partnering meeting in Europe. The purpose was to present our type 2 diabetes project to pharmaceutical companies. At the meeting Atrogi met with several of the largest companies that are working in the diabetes area. The response was overwhelming and Atrogi will follow up the requests for information.

Second patent granted

One of Atrogis patent application was granted in the US (US 9,784,726). The patent describes inventions useful for finding compounds for the treatment of diseases such as type 2 diabetes. This was the second time such a patent was granted.

5MSEK fund granted

Atrogi was awarded a 5 MSEK grant. This very prestigeful grant from the SWElifes accelerator program was received in fierce competition with other applicants. The grant will be used to help bring one of the compounds that Atrogis is developing for the treatment of type 2 diabetes to the clinic.

First patent granted