A New Era in the Treatment of Obesity: A Dozen New Molecules Arriving in the Market
At the European congress on Obesity (Easo) held at the Lido of Venice, Luca Bussetto, vice-president of Southern Europe, announced the arrival of a dozen new molecules in the next 5 years that will broaden the treatment possibilities for obesity. These new molecules, in addition to semaglutide, an anti-diabetic drug studied in the treatment of obesity, will offer alternative approaches to lifestyle modification and surgery.
Among the new developments is an oral formulation currently in clinical trials, a non-peptide Glp1 analogue drug in phase 3 testing, and a combination of semaglutide and cagrilintide being studied. Additionally, polyagonists, molecules that stimulate different receptors, such as tirzepatide and retatrutide, are also in advanced testing phases.
Bussetto emphasized that while drugs represent an important advancement in the management of obesity, they are not a standalone solution. Just as no diabetologist or cardiologist considers a pill a single solution, specialists from the Italian and European Obesity Society do not believe that the disease can be solved with a drug alone.
However, the introduction of these new drugs, starting with semaglutide, promises significant improvements in the management of obese patients and broadens the available treatment options. This is particularly important as previous options, such as lifestyle modification and surgery, have limitations in producing significant and stable weight loss.
The data on the use of semaglutide also suggests positive outcomes regarding cardiovascular risks, further highlighting the potential impact of these new molecules in the treatment of obesity. While there is no magic pill for obesity, these advancements mark a significant step forward in addressing a complex and prevalent health issue.