The bridge between weight loss medication and behaviour change

In our cover story this month, Danny Buckland looks at weight loss medication and how GLP-1s have been shown to provide game-changing opportunities for patients who are overweight or obese to improve their health.

In a sector projected to reach an annual value of $150bn by 2035, the race is on to launch GLP-1 weight loss pills to help give patients better ease of use than the currently available GLP-1 weight loss injections.

However, while scientific advances have enabled the creation of weight loss medications that work by suppressing patients’ appetites, it is vital that their use is combined with a deep understanding of the complex psychological and societal triggers that underpin obesity and defy behaviour change. Read more on page 28.

Another highlight of this issue is an article on the continued search for a cure for tuberculosis, which remains one of the most persistent infectious diseases in human history. It is difficult to cure and treatment requires an extended period of time – currently, at least six months – to completely eliminate the hardy infection. Antibiotic courses must be completed but, for TB, the prolonged length of treatment and the side effects of drugs often hinder treatment adherence. Find out more on page 16.

In this issue we also have an article on the challenges of finding a cure for lupus and related autoimmune conditions. Of those with lupus, 90% are women who are most often diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 45, and black, Latinx, Indigenous, Asian and Pacific Islander people are disproportionately affected.

The development of new therapies and diagnostics for autoimmune diseases is an area of high unmet need that has long been overlooked. Now cell therapies, like CAR-T, which have transformed cancer treatment, are being investigated for autoimmune disease such as lupus. Turn to page 18 for more.

Our June issue will look at achieving launch excellence through strong cross-functional collaboration, real-time insights and engaging with diverse stakeholders from the start. If you would like to make your voice heard on this topic, please get in touch at sales@pmlive.com

I hope you enjoy this issue!

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