Key facts
- Ractigen Therapeutics presented preclinical data for its saRNA obesity treatment, LiCO-saUcp1.
- The treatment aims to convert white fat into calorie-burning brown fat.
- Data suggests the treatment drives fat loss while preserving lean muscle mass.
- The treatment also reportedly prevents post-treatment weight rebound.
Ractigen Therapeutics has announced a late-breaking presentation at the ADA 2026 conference, highlighting its saRNA (self-amplifying RNA) technology as a potential new approach to obesity control. The company presented preclinical data for its candidate, LiCO-saUcp1. According to the data, this treatment effectively converts white adipose tissue into brown adipose tissue, which actively burns calories. This mechanism is reported to drive substantial fat loss while crucially preserving lean muscle mass. Furthermore, the preclinical results suggest that LiCO-saUcp1 prevents weight regain after treatment cessation. The presentation took place in New Orleans on June 5, 2026.