VRG201

VRG201 is an oral, first-in-class small molecule drug candidate developed by Verge Genomics for long-term weight management and obesity. It acts as a selective inhibitor of CD38, a critical enzyme involved in regulating cellular NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) levels and energy metabolism. By inhibiting CD38, VRG201 restores NAD+ balance and corrects metabolic dysfunction that leads to abnormal weight gain and the development or worsening of obesity. This mechanism prevents excess calories from being converted into fat by improving metabolic function, offering a novel approach distinct from appetite-suppressing therapies like GLP-1 receptor agonists. Preclinical studies have shown that VRG201 reduces weight gain in diet-induced obesity models and improves phenotypes associated with metabolic syndrome, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. The drug is positioned as a maintenance therapy to help patients sustain weight loss after initial reduction.