Lexaria reports enhanced brain delivery of semaglutide using DehydraTECH

Lexaria Bioscience Corp. (NASDAQ: LEXX) announced results from a preclinical study showing its DehydraTECH technology improved brain distribution of the GLP-1 drug semaglutide compared to conventional oral formulations.

The study used fluorescently tagged semaglutide in 25 male Sprague Dawley rats to compare biodistribution between DehydraTECH-processed semaglutide and a Rybelsus equivalent composition. Results showed DehydraTECH formulations demonstrated higher brain fluorescent signal intensity across all tested doses compared to controls.

The 5mg DehydraTECH-semaglutide composition achieved higher brain signal intensity than the 15mg Rybelsus equivalent composition, according to whole brain imaging data. Brain sections revealed all three DehydraTECH doses displayed fluorescence above naive and vehicle control groups, while only the highest Rybelsus equivalent dose surpassed controls.

The study examined key brain regions including the brainstem, paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, and circumventricular organs where semaglutide interacts. Researchers used cyanine 7 fluorophore tagging to track semaglutide distribution in tissues known to express GLP-1 receptors, including brain, pancreas, lung, kidney, liver and heart.

"We are delighted to now see early evidence of this through more detailed fluorescent imaging with DehydraTECH-semaglutide," said John Docherty, Lexaria President and CSO.

The company conducted the study to determine whether DehydraTECH processing improves semaglutide biodistribution compared to conventional oral formulations. The independent animal research facility performed qualitative analysis based on visual image comparisons, with no statistical analysis conducted due to the pilot study's limited size.

Lexaria holds 50 granted patents for its DehydraTECH drug delivery platform technology, which the company states improves oral drug absorption and delivery across the blood-brain barrier.

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