BW-Ex-4: A Dual Agonist Peptide Reimagining Diabetes and Obesity Therapy

At today’s Department of Medicine Research Retreat, our Principal Investigator, Dr. Tuncay Delibasi, delivered an outstanding presentation introducing a first-in-class dual agonist peptide, BW-Ex-4, designed to target diabetes and obesity through a novel mechanism of action.

Built by combining Black Widow venom–derived GLP-1 analogs with Exendin-4, BW-Ex-4 activates two GPCR targets:

      •     GLP-1R, to enhance insulin secretion

      •     CIRL1 (an adhesion GPCR), to promote islet cell adhesion, maturation, and survival

This hybrid strategy offers not just metabolic benefits (glucose tolerance, weight loss) but also structural and anti-inflammatory advantages essential for the long-term function of stem cell–derived islets.

Dr. Delibasi’s talk outlined two main research aims:

      1.    Testing BW-Ex-4 on iPSC-derived islet function and survival under metabolic stress

      2.    Evaluating CIRL1-mediated cell adhesion in 3D islet cluster formation

His proposal—selected as a finalist among the top five submissions—has drawn attention for its translational potential and its alignment with the future of personalized islet-based therapies.

BW-Ex-4 represents a promising leap forward in regenerative endocrinology, merging peptide design, stem cell technology, and GPCR biology into a single therapeutic platform.

We’re excited to see where this journey leads, and we are proud to have Dr. Delibasi and our team at the forefront of next-generation diabetes solutions.