Queen Mary University of London: New spinout Elcella to provide natural alternative to weight-loss drugs

Queen Mary University of London has launched a new spinout company, Elcella, founded by Dr Madusha Peiris and Dr Rubina Aktar. Their unique nutrient-based appetite suppressant stimulates your body’s natural ability to control your eating – based on a decade of scientific research.

An exciting discovery

Elcella’s scientifically proven approach comes from over ten years of research by gut-health experts at Queen Mary University of London – ranked in the top twenty-five globally for research.

Dr Madusha Peiris, Elcella’s founder, explains:

“We made a surprising discovery that led us to find out that a specific combination of nutrients will trigger the hormones that make you feel full – so you eat less and lose weight. It was exciting because this is an important pathway that goes wrong in obesity.”

“Our bodies use hormones activated by nutrients to tell our brains when to stop eating. The tragedy of obesity is this mechanism stops working – you lose much of your ability to tell when you’re full. Our discovery meant we had a new way to help people get back to a healthy weight.”

“We differ from weight-loss drugs in that Elcella releases your own naturally occurring appetite-reducing hormones rather than replacing them with synthetic hormones.”

“Because it releases a natural process, we’ve not seen any side effects in three clinical trials, unlike weight-loss drugs, which can cause nausea, insomnia and high blood pressure – among other unpleasant side effects. Also we can give it to you via a twice-daily pill, whereas most weight-loss drugs are injected.”

“People often talk about weight-loss as a fight against their own body – we’re getting your body back on your side.”

An entrepreneurial university

Elcella is built on over a decade of scientific research – the journey from bench to business was led by Queen Mary Innovation, our Technology Transfer Office.

Dr Deborah Carter, Associate Commercialisation Director, comments:

“Dr Peiris’s discovery could bring major public health benefits. Turning her discovery into a viable product and business is one of the best ways to make this happen.”

“Our team at Queen Mary Innovation help researchers like Dr Peiris to assess the market for their innovation, protect the intellectual property, create a business plan, and secure the investment they need to get to market.”

“We’re investing £250k into Elcella to launch their nutraceutical, and we’ve helped them secure a further £500k from other investors. Our returns will fund further research and innovation at Queen Mary – thereby supporting future academic entrepreneurs.”

Dr Madusha Peiris comments:

“I didn’t think entrepreneurship was possible at all. I didn’t set out to have a business, but I always wanted our research to be useful for people who need help.”