Scientists developing a drug-free weight loss pill have told ITV News the UK is on the verge of “a seismic change” in the treatment of obesity.
ITV News has been given exclusive access to a laboratory in Oxfordshire where scientists are developing a non-pharmacological alternative to so-called ‘skinny jabs’, like Mounjaro and Wegovy.
While weight loss injections have been described as a “game-changer” for the UK’s obesity crisis, their availability on the NHS is restricted, they are expensive to get privately and they can cause side-effects.
Sirona, developed by Oxford Medical Products, looks like a pill but is not a medication.
It’s made of hydrogel, a highly absorbent sponge-like material, which is also used to make contact lenses and some skincare products.
When swallowed, the pill expands, reducing the available volume in the stomach, suppressing appetite, leading to weight loss. It remains in the stomach for several days, before breaking down and passing naturally.
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