A Randomized, Double‐Blind, Placebo‐Controlled Pilot Trial With Open‐Label Extension of Sirona, a Hydrogel for Weight Loss
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study designs: Randomized Controlled Trial, Clinical Trial
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy of Sirona, a novel gastro-retentive, dual-network polymer for weight management. METHODS: . Primary endpoints were feasibility, tolerability, and safety; secondary endpoints included weight loss and dietary intake, tested using Hedge's g [95% CI] as a measure of effect size. RESULTS: Participants received Sirona (n = 29/38) or Placebo (n = 9/38) (mean [SD] age = 40.9 [8.4]; weight = 101.7 [12.9] kg; BMI = 35.6 [3.0]; 29/38 female and 23/38 White British). Dosing was well tolerated (RCT Sirona: 95.2 [11.0]%; RCT Placebo: 97.8 [3.5]%; RCT + OLE Sirona: 93.1 [13.0]%). No serious adverse events occurred. Of the adverse events, nausea was most prominent (74.8%), mostly graded mild (79.3%) and requiring no intervention (84.4%). Percentage total body weight loss was greater for Sirona compared to Placebo after 12 weeks (3.9 [3.0]% versus 1.0 [2.1]%, g = 0.96 [-1.81, -0.10]). Weight loss continued in the OLE (change from baseline = 4.4 [3.8]%). Dietary intake reduced from baseline after 12 weeks of treatment (-382.5 [519.3] kcal; Placebo = 93.5 [670.3] kcal, g = -0.8 [-1.7, 0.0]) and after 24 weeks (-338.2 [486.7] kcal, g = 0.7 [0.2, 1.1]). CONCLUSIONS: Sirona was well tolerated, with mild, primarily gastrointestinal side effects. Reduced weight and dietary intake suggest Sirona is suitable as a nonpharmacological treatment for weight management. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN14083641 (https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN14083641).
Source: Obesity
DOI: 10.1002/oby.70066
Institutions: University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University of Bristol, NIHR Bristol Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford Medical Products Limited (United Kingdom), Milton Keynes Hospital, North Bristol NHS Trust, Southmead Hospital
Language: English
Subfield: Pharmacology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,980
Funder: Innovate UK
OpenAlex ID: W4415221426
