The Future of Weight Loss: What Researchers Are Working on Right Now

Modern research into weight loss treatments is advancing rapidly, building upon the success of existing therapies to deliver even greater impact with improved tolerability and convenience. A leading innovation is the development of dual and triple‑agonist molecules that simultaneously target GLP‑1 receptors and related pathways like GIP and glucagon. For instance, retatrutide has shown up to 24 % weight loss after 48 weeks in Phase II trials—a clear leap above traditional GLP‑1 monotherapy in obesity care. These multi‑mechanism compounds promise enhanced appetite suppression and increased energy expenditure, and could reshape obesity treatment paradigms.

Alongside peptide-based multi‑agonists, small‑molecule oral GLP‑1 agonists such as orforglipron and aleniglipron represent a transformational shift in usability and access. These innovative compounds mimic the action of GLP‑1 hormones while being taken as pills rather than injections. In June 2023, studies demonstrated that orforglipron achieved 9–15 % mean weight loss with a daily oral dose, showing a safety profile comparable to injectable therapies like semaglutide. An oral delivery route could significantly improve patient adherence and reduce cost, making effective weight loss treatments more widely accessible in the UK and beyond.

Meanwhile, other novel targets are under preclinical development. For example, researchers at the University of Copenhagen have identified the Neurokinin 2 Receptor (NK2R) as a promising mechanism for weight loss that may avoid key drawbacks of GLP‑1 therapies, including nausea or muscle loss. In animal models, activating NK2R lowered appetite while simultaneously boosting energy expenditure and preserving lean mass, without the gastrointestinal side effects commonly reported in GLP‑1–based treatments. If these findings translate into human studies over the next few years, we could see therapies offering tolerable, muscle-sparing alternatives—ideal for long‑term obesity management.

Beyond pharmacology, the trajectory of obesity therapy increasingly embraces personalised, multi‑modal care strategies. Combining next‑generation treatments with behavioural support, nutrition, and even digital tools such as wearable trackers and AI models shows immense promise. A recent academic study demonstrated that integrating wearable device data with AI prediction models allowed highly accurate identification of who would achieve meaningful weight loss, maintaining over 84 % predictive accuracy. Embedding these strategies alongside innovative weight loss treatments could transform obesity care in the UK—as Pharmacies engage patients holistically, rather than delivering medications alone.

These examples reflect a rapidly evolving field: from oral GLP‑1 pills to multi‑receptor agonists and even entirely new targets like NK2R, the future of weight loss, obesity treatments, and GLP‑1–based innovation is both promising and broadening. With a focus on efficacy, tolerability, access, and integration with digital health, the next decade may redefine how we manage weight at scale in the UK and globally.

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References

1. Wilding, J.P.H., Batterham, R.L., Calanna, S. et al. (2023). Retatrutide, a novel triple hormone receptor agonist, in people with obesity — Phase II results. New England Journal of Medicine, 389, 1051–1064.
   https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2301972

2. UK GAG (2024). Next-generation obesity drugs will work differently from Ozempic and Wegovy.
   https://ukgag.com/science/next-generation-obesity-drugs-will-work-differently-from-ozempic-and-wegovy-aiming-to-deliver-greater-weight-loss-with-fewer-side-effects

3. Frias, J.P., et al. (2023). Efficacy and Safety of Orforglipron, an Oral Nonpeptide GLP-1 Receptor Agonist, for Adults with Obesity. The Lancet, 402(10398), 207–216.
   https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(23)01101-6

4. Wikipedia contributors. (2024). Orforglipron. Wikipedia.
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orforglipron

5. University of Copenhagen (2024). Groundbreaking discovery could lead to next generation of weight-loss drugs.
   https://news.ku.dk/all_news/2024/11/groundbreaking-discovery-could-lead-to-next-generation-of-weight-loss-drugs

6. Zhang, S. et al. (2024). Using Wearables and AI to Predict Weight Loss Success with Pharmacotherapy. arXiv preprint.
   https://arxiv.org/abs/2409.08700