Article
Obesity: Key Pipeline Developments and Clinical Trial Insights
IQVIA Pipeline Link / IQVIA Trial Link
Sep 11, 2024
Download

Obesity is a chronic complex disease defined by excessive fat deposits that can impair health. Obesity heightens the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2DM), heart disease and certain cancers. It can impact bone health, reproduction, morbidity, disability, and quality of life. The 2019 Global Burden of Disease study estimates that obesity contributed to approximately 5 million deaths globally. Over the years, several anti-obesity medications (AOM) have reached the market but failed after widespread use due to serious adverse effects, including cardiovascular events, suicidality, abuse, dependence, and cancer. Advancements have been made in elucidating the role of entero-pancreatic hormones in the regulation of feeding, appetite and glycemia that has led to the development of glucagon like peptide-1 receptor (GLP1R) agonists as safe and effective treatments for T2DM and obesity.

The first GLP1R agonist to reach the market since 2014 for obesity was Novo Nordisk's semaglutide (WEGOVY), which was approved by the US FDA in June 2021. Semaglutide quickly emerged as a blockbuster, reaching sales of USD 7.73 billion in 2023. Later two other drugs were approved for the treatment of obesity — Lilly's tirzepatide (ZEPBOUND), a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor GIPR)/GLP1R co-agonist, and Rhythm Pharmaceuticals' setmelanotide (IMCIVREE), a melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) agonistic peptide.

This article provides an update on current treatment options for obesity and outlines the latest development activities, including ongoing clinical trials of key experimental drugs with data sourced from IQVIA Pipeline Link and IQVIA Trial Link.

Download the full article to learn more about the treatment options for obesity, obesity pipeline insights, the clinical trial landscape, and novel therapies in early development.

Related solutions

Contact Us