Is Gene Therapy The End Of Ozempic?

Jay Kaplan, co-founder of Fractyl Health, joins The Biotech Voyager to explain why current GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic might have a worthy successor: a gene therapy that delivers GLP-1 directly to the pancreatic beta cells, only when you eat. Their lead program Rejuva-001 is already outperforming today's best pharmacology in animal models and has received first approval to begin clinical studies in the Netherlands. In this conversation, Jay breaks down the science behind their meal-responsive delivery mechanism, why a one-time gene therapy could replace chronic weekly injections, and what the future of gene therapy for large diseases looks like. Jay Kaplan is co-founder of Fractyl Health, a biotech company developing gene therapies that target the root causes of metabolic disease with the goal of curative treatments. Chapters 00:00:00 Welcome: Jay Kaplan, Fractyl Health 00:02:14 The Problem With GLP-1 Drugs 00:03:24 How the Gene Therapy Works 00:04:53 Ozempic vs. Meal-Responsive Therapy 00:05:35 Beating Pharmacology in Animal Models 00:07:39 Phase II Approved in Netherlands 00:07:56 One Shot. No Redosing. 00:10:39 Why Diabetes Needs a Cure 00:18:13 What's Next in Biotech New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday at 11:00 AM 🚀