Our Approach

Bariatric surgery, performed for weight loss, shifts digestion of food from the upper small intestine to the lower part of small intestine (e.g. “Roux-En-Y bypass) and consequently improves Type 1 diabetes and resolves Type 2 diabetes within days in a majority of patients with diabetes. In addition, lowering of blood pressure, triglycerides, and C-reactive protein has been observed in these patients prior to significant weight loss (Buchwald, H. et.al; JAMA, 2004; 292:1724-1737). There is strong evidence that the mechanism of this effect results from expedited delivery of specific nutrients to the lower gut that promote secretion of gut hormones crucial for the regulation of blood glucose levels.

The following animation shows:

  2. Diabetes affects this response
  3. RYGB corrects the effects of diabetes
  5. Progress in product development and initial clinical results
  6. New grants and upcoming clinical trials

BioKier has devised two proprietary oral formulations, one a tablet containing butyrate (BKR-017) and the other a capsule containing glutamine (BKR-013), that are designed to mimic the effects of metabolic surgery and improve glucose management without the physical trauma and cost of the surgery. BioKier’s approach is expected to be suitable for type 1 or type 2 diabetes patients, both obese and non-obese. Specifically, both products act by stimulating L-cells in the lower gut thus correcting the deficiency in secretion of endogenous GLP-1 and other gut hormones, such as PYY, GLP-2, and oxyntomodulin, that regulate glucose metabolism and appetite. Therefore, this treatment also is expected to have beneficial effects on hypertriglyceridemia, metabolic syndrome, and obesity.