What kickstarted Calocurb, and how did it develop into the weight management innovation we have today?
Calocurb originated in New Zealand as part of a government-funded research project. In 2009, government-employed scientists hypothesized that bitterness could suppress appetite, drawing inspiration from historical practices, such as Scottish Highlanders chewing bitter berries during famines and Kalahari tribesmen using bitter cactus before hunts. Early research in mice supported this idea, and the government provided a $20 million grant for a project called Foods for Appetite Control. Over six years, researchers mapped bitter taste receptors in the human gut, discovering their role in releasing appetite-suppressing hormones as part of an evolutionary response to bitter, potentially toxic foods.
The researchers tested over 1,000 plant extracts and identified two promising candidates: a potato alkaloid, which was toxic, and a hops extract. They further refined their work by isolating Amarasate, a key compound from hops, and formulated it into a capsule. After achieving significant results in clinical trials, the product launched in 2018. Although the company faced challenges during COVID-19, the rise of obesity treatments like Wegovy helped educate the market on biological weight management, strengthening Calocurb’s position as a natural appetite suppressant.
What makes Calocurb’s impact on GLP-1 levels unique?
Calocurb significantly elevates GLP-1, a key hormone for hunger regulation. While normal eating increases GLP-1 levels by three times, Calocurb boosts it by 600%, far surpassing the 400% threshold required to effect behavioral changes. This translates into a 30% reduction in hunger, a 40% decrease in cravings, and an 18% reduction in calorie intake.
Drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, on the other hand, use synthetic GLP-1 hormones at supraphysiological levels, maintaining high concentrations in the body for seven days. While they achieve a daily calorie reduction of about 24%, Calocurb offers a targeted, natural approach with effects lasting 4–6 hours, making it a complementary option for those seeking less invasive solutions.
How do the use cases differ between Calocurb and anti-obesity drugs in the US?
Calocurb is not positioned as a direct competitor to GLP-1 injectables like Ozempic or Wegovy but rather as a complementary product. One of its key roles is addressing the needs of patients coming off these drugs. In the US, about one in eight people have tried GLP-1 injectables, but over two-thirds regain weight after stopping. This is partly due to the suppression of natural endogenous hormones caused by synthetic injections. When patients stop, their natural hormone production needs to be reactivated, and Calocurb helps practitioners to off-ramp patients by kickstarting this process.
There is a high demand for this use case since no step-down solutions currently exist for patients discontinuing injectables, and many face anxiety about regaining hunger and weight after discontinuing treatment. For those who cannot tolerate side effects, prefer not to inject themselves, or find injectables unaffordable, Calocurb can also serve as an alternative.
What key differences do you see in entering the US versus UK and European markets, and how are you navigating them?
Entering the US market, we were received with enthusiasm among practitioners at obesity medicine conferences, particularly as they sought solutions for patients transitioning off GLP-1 treatments. While pharmaceutical companies advocate for lifetime use of these injectables, practitioners are hesitant to keep patients on them indefinitely and have limited alternatives for step-down care.
The UK and Europe present a different dynamic. The appetite for injectables is not as entrenched as in the US, but demand for Calocurb is still strong, with interest coming from a mix of public bodies, private clinics, and individual consumers. While Calocurb does ship internationally from the US, challenges like long delivery times and tariffs make this less desirable. We plan to combat this by establishing a local presence in the UK to serve our European customers.
How do you see the global market for natural appetite suppressants evolving, and where does Calocurb sit?
The global market for appetite suppressants, currently valued at $47.6 billion, is projected to exceed $200 billion. While there is a robust pipeline of pharmaceutical solutions, nutraceuticals like Calocurb remain rare, especially with its level of investment in clinical research—over $30 million on one ingredient.
Calocurb’s focus remains on modernizing human consumption. With our hindbrains hardwired to seek food in times of excess, tools like Calocurb can help counteract these instincts, reducing the noise of constant hunger. By offering an alternative or a complementary product to GLP-1 injectables, Calocurb provides a natural, effective solution to navigate the challenges of modern calorie-dense environments.
Why do you personally take Calocurb, and how does it help?
I take Calocurb daily because it simplifies my routine. I intermittent fast and do not eat before 1 PM, so it helps manage hunger and cravings. It allows me to focus without constantly thinking about food. Removing that mental noise can be transformative, giving people control over their eating habits in a way that feels natural rather than restrictive.
