A RESEARCH team from Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is taking part in a study looking into an investigational medicine which could help people to lose weight and improve their blood sugar levels.

The team from Musgrove Park Hospital is inviting people in Somerset with type 2 diabetes and who are overweight or living with obesity to take part in the international research study.

Seven people locally will be chosen to take part in the Enith 2 study with 1,600 taking part worldwide and just 73 from the UK.

The Somerset team began recruiting in July and hopes to find its seven participants before recruitment is due to close in December.

The medicine which is still being studied and is yet to be approved by health authorities for treatment works by activating two hormone receptors, known as GIP and GLP-1. This is thought to reduce appetite and the amount a person eats, as well as improving their blood sugar levels.

Clinical research nurse at the Trust, Anna Clarke said: “We’re really keen to hear from people locally who think they may be eligible, particularly as people can contact our research team directly rather than needing to be referred by their GP or another service.

“Taking part is a significant commitment, with the study lasting around a year and a half, but people are supported throughout by our research team and will have regular assessments and monitoring.”

Participants will need to be may be aged 18 or over, have type 2 diabetes and have a body mass index (BMI) of at least 27. There are other eligibility criteria, which the research team will discuss with anyone interested in taking part.

Potential participants will not be eligible to take part if they have taken another GLP-1 medicine within the previous six months of the study, or if they take insulin or another injectable therapy.

Those who are eligible will be randomly allocated to one of four groups with three receiving different doses of Enicepatide, and the fourth group receiving a placebo, which looks like the study medicine but contains no active ingredient.

The doses of Enicepatide and the placebo are given through a self-administered injection under the skin once a week for 72 weeks, using an autoinjector.

Anna said the study involves much more than the medication alone. “Everyone taking part receives lifestyle support, whether they are receiving the study medicine or the placebo,” she continued.

“It’s ultimately about looking at the outcomes for people with type 2 diabetes and helping researchers understand the effectiveness and safety of this potential new treatment.”

Taking part is entirely voluntary and people can choose to leave the study at any time without it affecting their usual medical care.

Although the deadline is in December, the trust encourages people to get in touch as it will be recruiting for further studies in the new year of another new GLP-1 medication.

Anyone interested in finding out more can contact Somerset NHS Foundation Trust’s research team directly by calling 01823 342700.