ICON survey report: Trends and challenges in obesity research and clinical trials

Obesity is a growing health concern worldwide, and research in obesity-related treatments, from drugs to devices, has been making significant advances. Recent developments, such as the approval of GLP-1 receptor agonists such as semaglutide to treat obesity, have sparked excitement in the field, and shined a light on the potential future of obesity treatment.

To better understand the current state of obesity-related treatment development, ICON conducted a survey of professionals engaged in obesity-related clinical research, representing organisations ranging from small biotechs to large pharmaceutical companies, as well as academic organisations. This survey investigates the opinions, experiences and predictions of a variety of individuals best positioned to provide an overview of current obesity drug and device development — and where it is likely to go in the future. Explore the results to learn:

• The most promising interventional pathways for obesity, present and future
• The areas and indications included in current obesity research
• The biggest challenges in obesity-related development and clinical trials
• Factors impacting clinical trial recruitment and retention, including improving diversity of patient populations
• Predictions for the future of obesity research, from pipeline success to therapeutic focus