Beyond GLP-1: The Next Generation of Weight Loss Treatments
The Future is Now: Beyond GLP-1 Agonists
The impact of weight loss medications in recent years was highlighted at LSX USA Congress 2025 , where an entire forum was dedicated to the subject of obesity management and its future. The presentations at the Obesity Science & Innovation forum were extremely interesting and highlighted that GLP-1 agonists are only the start of innovation in weight loss medication. Big Pharma and biotech start-ups are highly active in the field in the race to discover the next generations of weight loss medications.
Several speakers at the event emphasised that obesity is an extremely complex disorder with 400 or more associated co-morbidities, including metabolic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular indications and heightened risk of certain cancers. Many of the treatments being developed aim to address not only obesity but also one or more associated disorders.
Addressing the Challenges of Current Treatments
It was highlighted by several speakers that the current treatments for obesity such as Wegovy® (semaglutide, a single GLP-1 agonist) and Mounjaro® (Zepbound®, tirzepatide a GIP/GLP-1 receptor co-agonist) are highly effective at reducing appetite and therefore lowering calorie intake, thus leading to body mass loss. The popularity of these treatments has been extraordinary and has led some to think that the issue of weight loss is solved. However, the rate of discontinuation for existing drugs is high with 40% or more of patients stopping treatment, often leading to rapid regain of weight. Discontinuation is often due to the side effects associated with the drug which include gastric disturbance such as vomiting, nausea and diarrhoea. Some therapeutic developments are focussed on increasing the tolerability of treatments and improving compliance, including the generation of oral daily drugs. For example, Regor Therapeutics Group recently announced Phase 2a study results of RGT-075, its once-daily oral GLP-1RA agonist which indicated a discontinuation rate due to adverse events of 4%. The results also indicated a reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
A Multifaceted Approach to Weight Loss
Whilst the existing treatments and several follow-on potential treatments such as retatrutide (a triple GLP-1, GIP and glucagon agonist) affect calorie intake, some new treatments being discussed are focussed on increasing calorie expenditure rather than or in addition to the reduction of calorie intake. An interesting line of research discussed was mechanisms by which white adipose tissue, which is a major energy storage organ, can be converted into brown adipose tissue, which is involved in thermogenesis. Thermogenesis is a process which requires significant energy expenditure and so could contribute to weight loss.
Furthermore, since another possible downside of existing treatments is the reduction of muscle body mass particularly if weight loss is rapid, some companies are concentrating on therapies which maintain muscle mass whilst reducing lipid mass. For example, Sixpeaks BIO is developing antibodies which bind to and inhibit ActRIIA and ActRIIB which may preserve lean body mass whilst increasing energy expenditure. Other modalities include the use of siRNA targeting one or more genes for increased body weight reduction and lean mass preservation.
The Role of AI in Drug Discovery
Drug development using AI is also a development to note, with Mindrank having announced recent Phase IIb results of their AI-designed oral GLP-1RA small molecule compound. The reported results indicated clinically significant mean body weight reductions.
Last week’s conference and the interest shown at the Obesity Science & Innovation Forum highlight that the treatment of obesity, and the associated health benefits of reduction of fat related body weight is only just starting its development. Expect to see many more treatments of different modalities coming to market in the next five to ten years.
Patent Protection and the Competitive Landscape
Patent protection for novel molecules and their therapeutic uses is essential. The abandonment of Novo Nordisk’s Canadian patent covering semaglutide due to a failure to pay a renewal fee will result in generic competition being able to enter the market in Canada earlier than otherwise possible with a valid patent in force. Whilst Novo Nordisk indicated that this was a deliberate decision rather than an error, it may still result in a reduction of income and price erosion in the coming years.
Patent Attorneys at Secerna are skilled at advising clients in the pharma and biotech fields on patent filing strategies to maximise patent protection for what could be extremely valuable assets.
The anti-obesity medication space is becoming increasingly crowded and the patent landscape will need to be navigated carefully to avoid patent infringement. Attorneys at Secerna are highly experienced in advising clients on their freedom to operate in life sciences fields. Please get in touch if we can assist you in this very exciting and fast moving sector.
