Therapeutic Area Guide: Obesity & Related Metabolic Disorders

In recent years, new weight management medications, particularly GLP-1 receptor agonists, have revolutionized the treatment of obesity, offering hope for better disease management and a reduction in the risk of associated comorbidities. Prescription drugs like Wegovy highlight that, alongside medication, lifestyle interventions such as a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity are essential components of effective obesity management. However, weight loss alone does not fully capture the health benefits of these treatments; physical activity and functional health are equally crucial and must be measured to assess the true impact of these therapies.

As competition intensifies in the obesity treatment pharmaceutical R&D pipeline, generating evidence of health benefits beyond weight loss and enhancing clinical trial design will be critical for the success of these programs. Digital health technologies (DHTs), such as wearable devices, play a vital role in this process by collecting passive, objective, and continuous real-world data on patient functioning, including physical activity levels. This data not only optimizes treatment efficacy but also provides valuable insights during long-term follow-up studies, which are particularly relevant in obesity management, where effective, sustainable solutions often require a multidisciplinary approach.