Shock Therapy: The Key to Solving Obesity or Just Another Fad?

Obesity is a massive problem in the US that according to the CDC is only getting worse. While the preferred method of treatment is still a healthy diet and exercise, many companies have attempted to treat obesity using a variety of methods, many of which include invasive procedures and overly restrictive diets. Generally, these treatments are popular for a short time, then fade out as they are either too invasive or difficult to follow, or they simply don’t produce weight loss results. Enter Elira Inc., a St. Louis based biotech startup who has been quietly building a patent portfolio around a new weight-loss treatment that promises results without a restrictive diet, or invasive procedure. 

The company’s most recent application, published last week (U.S. Pub. No. 20200164209) teaches a method to treat obesity using a wearable patch capable of producing a small, direct, electric shock to various parts of the body to suppress appetite. The idea of using shock therapy to suppress appetite is not new, and multiple previous U.S. Patents teach of various methods of implanting electrodes into the G.I. tract to suppress appetite. The method uses electrical shocks to slow the gastric rhythm of the stomach which makes the wearer feel full longer and discourages unnecessary eating. Elira’s most recent application diminishes the need for an invasive surgery, and incorporates AI to control when and how much shock the wearer should receive based on individual factors. 

U.S. Pub. No. ‘209 marks the companies 8th application in the past 3 years within the AI Biotech/Diagnostic Sector. The company also has 3 granted patents incorporating this technology in its portfolio, giving it the 8th largest IP portfolio in the sector. Whether this technology catches on or fades away like many diet fads is yet to be determined. Regardless, Elira Inc. is quickly building an IP portfolio in a sector dominated by brands such as Fitbit and Phillips, and is a name you should be watching out for.