AI-identified BRP Molecule May Reduce Food Intake by 50% in Animals

A single 12-amino-acid molecule discovered through artificial intelligence could provide a natural, potentially cheaper alternative to synthetic weight loss drugs like Ozempic, Muscle & Fitness reported.

For patients paying upwards of $1,000 per month for semaglutide without insurance, the identification of this organic compound, labeled “BRP,” offers a different path for metabolic regulation. The discovery stems from a March 2025 study that utilized AI to map peptide fragments and their influence on energy regulation.

“The receptors targeted by semaglutide are found in the brain but also in the gut, pancreas and other tissues,” explained Katrin Svensson, PhD, an assistant professor of pathology at Stanford and the lead author of the study, according to Muscle & Fitness.

“That’s why Ozempic has widespread effects, including slowing the movement of food through the digestive tract and lowering blood sugar levels. In contrast, BRP appears to act specifically in the hypothalamus, which controls appetite and metabolism,” Svensson said.

Identifying specific peptide hormones is notoriously difficult because they are rare compared to the abundant byproducts of protein degradation. To overcome this, the Stanford research team designed a new algorithm to inspect 20,000 protein-coding genes.

This computational approach allowed the team to narrow the field to 373 prohormones containing 2,683 peptides. By focusing on sequences likely to be bioactive in the brain, the researchers were able to screen 100 specific peptides to find the most promising candidates.

The efficacy of BRP was tested using both lean mice and miniature pigs, the latter being a model that more closely mirrors human digestion and eating patterns. Researchers found that an intramuscular injection of BRP administered prior to feeding reduced food intake by up to 50% over the following hour in both animal models.

With repeated treatments, the reduction in energy consumption led to decreased fat levels. Further analysis of physiological and brain activity showed that BRP activates metabolic and neuronal pathways that differ from those triggered by GLP-1 or semaglutide.

While the animal data is promising, the transition to human application remains in the developmental stages. Following the initial study, Svensson co-founded a company to launch clinical trials for the molecule.

Current research is focused on extending the duration of BRP’s effects to allow for a more convenient dosing schedule for patients. There is currently no confirmed release date for the peptide, and its specific results in humans have yet to be published.

Feature	Semaglutide (Ozempic)	BRP (Experimental)
Type	Synthetic	Natural organic compound
Primary Target	Brain, gut, and pancreas	Hypothalamus
Mechanism	GLP-1 receptor agonist	Distinct metabolic/neuronal pathways

The potential economic impact of such a discovery is significant. Because BRP is a naturally occurring molecule rather than a synthetic medication, it could eventually offer a more affordable approach to treating obesity.

“The lack of effective drugs to treat obesity in humans has been a problem for decades,” Svensson said, Muscle & Fitness reported.

“Nothing we’ve tested before has compared to semaglutide’s ability to decrease appetite and body weight. We are very eager to learn if (BRP) is safe and effective in humans,” Svensson said.