Syntis Bio

Syntis Bio is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing oral therapies for metabolic diseases by harnessing the biology of the small intestine. The company was co-founded by CEO Rahul Dhanda, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) professors Robert Langer and Giovanni Traverso. Their work originated from a project to find novel drug delivery solutions for children, leading to the development of the company's core technology.

Syntis Bio's primary business is the development and commercialization of a portfolio of therapeutic programs targeting obesity, diabetes, and rare pediatric metabolic conditions like homocystinuria (HCU) and maple syrup urine disease (MSUD). The company's business model centers on advancing these drug candidates through clinical trials to gain regulatory approval and address significant unmet needs in large and rare disease markets. Revenue will likely be generated through drug sales, partnerships, and licensing agreements with larger pharmaceutical companies.

The company's lead program is SYNT-101, a once-daily pill for obesity that mimics the effects of gastric bypass surgery. It utilizes the proprietary SYNT™ (SYNthetic Tissue-lining) technology, which applies a temporary, safe polymer coating to the duodenum (the upper part of the small intestine). This coating, inspired by the adhesive properties of mussels, temporarily blocks nutrient absorption in the duodenum for up to 24 hours before clearing naturally. By redirecting nutrients to the lower small intestine, SYNT-101 stimulates the release of a full cascade of natural satiety hormones, including GLP-1, to regulate appetite and metabolism. Preclinical and early human studies have shown that SYNT-101 can induce weight loss while preserving lean muscle mass and has demonstrated a strong safety and tolerability profile. Beyond obesity, the SYNT™ platform is versatile, with the potential to be engineered for enzyme replacement therapies and to enhance the oral bioavailability of other drugs. The company is also developing SYNT-202 for homocystinuria and SYNT-203 for maple syrup urine disease, both of which were acquired from Codexis, Inc. in April 2024.

In 2023, Syntis Bio raised $15.5 million in a seed round. The company recently closed an oversubscribed Series A round in July 2025, securing $33 million in venture funding and up to $5 million in non-dilutive grant funding from the NIH to advance its clinical programs. Keywords: oral obesity treatment, gastric bypass pill, duodenal nutrient exclusion, metabolic disease therapy, synthetic tissue-lining, small intestine biology, SYNT-101, non-invasive weight loss, satiety hormones, GLP-1 alternative, homocystinuria, maple syrup urine disease, enzyme replacement therapy, oral drug delivery, polydopamine coating, Robert Langer, Giovanni Traverso, biopharmaceutical, clinical-stage, muscle preservation, weight management