Driving Successful Obesity Drug Development With GLP-1 Agonists

By Antonina Wasuna, PhD., Manuela Bossi, PhD., and Bill Byrom, PhD.

Obesity is a critical global health issue linked to numerous serious health conditions. Among the various interventions, GLP-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1RAs) have emerged as the most effective pharmacological treatment for obesity. The approval of semaglutide represents a significant advancement in weight management, with efficacy comparable to bariatric surgery. Additionally, dual GLP-1/GIP agonists are being developed to target other metabolic hormones.

Clinical trials for anti-obesity medications focus on weight change and secondary endpoints such as waist circumference, BMI, and blood chemistry. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) have become increasingly important, capturing data on physical health, self-esteem, mental health, social health, appetite, and body image. Using electronic Patient-Reported Outcomes (ePRO) to enhance data collection, Signant Health has played a pivotal role in over 30 obesity clinical trials. Their comprehensive solutions encompass scientific expertise, global operational capacity, and robust patient engagement tools, ensuring high-quality data and successful trial outcomes.