Obesity
Obesity and beyond
Embracing multi-indication potential during clinical development
The obesity therapeutic marketplace has rapidly embraced multi-indication drug development, following successful label expansion of incretin agonists semaglutide and tirzepatide. Explore the rise of multi-indication drug development across cardiometabolic-related conditions and the strategies driving clinical and commercial success for molecules with broad potential.
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Survey report
How today’s obesity developers are navigating a multi-indication landscape
From January 24 to March 5, 2025, ICON conducted a survey of 155 developers in obesity and related comorbidities. Survey respondents shared their clinical development and commercialisation strategies for molecules with broad clinical and commercial potential, and factors influencing whether or not to pursue multi-indication development of agents in their pipeline.
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A multifaceted risk factor:
Addressing obesity's impact across the disease spectrum
2.8 million people die every year as a result of obesity. At the same time, investment in research and development for obesity therapies is ushering in a new era of effective medications for this disease. Explore the implications of obesity as a risk factor across the disease spectrum, and how this may impact treatment, drug development and clinical trials for obesity.
ICON survey report:
Trends and challenges in obesity research and clinical trials
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.
Obesity blogs and media contributions
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Media article: Yearly Trends in Coverage Rates for GLP-1 RAs in Weight Loss
New research from Symphony Health, an ICON plc company, featured in The American Journal of Managed Care (AMJC), highlights ongoing challenges in patient access to GLP-1 therapies for weight loss.
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Media article: Tackling the next frontier in metabolic trials: A Q&A with ICON experts
In this article, ICON experts explore strategies to help sponsors navigate the evolving obesity research landscape, highlighting the use of adaptive designs, master protocols, and other innovative approaches.
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Media article: Obesity therapies and the multi-indication momentum: how industry is responding
The rise of GLP-1 agonist therapies has transformed obesity treatment, delivering unprecedented results and revealing their potential across a spectrum of interconnected conditions. New data reveals how the breakthrough has sparked a major shift toward multi-indication drug development.
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Media article: ICON launches multi-indication trial design service for obesity drugs
Clinical trial designs for obesity treatments should accommodate candidate drugs that have the potential to treat multiple conditions, or developers risk missing opportunities, according to Irish CRO ICON.
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Media article: More efficient next-gen obesity clinical trials needed, says survey
In this DDW article, discover key findings of an ICON survey focusing on multi-indication cardiometabolic R&D for therapies targeting obesity and its comorbidities.
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Media article: Pharma giants eye obesity trial boom — but are they ready for what comes next?
ICON survey shows pharma's enthusiasm for multi-indication obesity trials is outpacing trial design readiness.
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Press release: Global ICON survey shows need for more efficient obesity clinical trial design
ICON plc today released the findings of a survey of 155 biotech and pharma professionals from across the US and Europe focusing on multi-indication cardiometabolic R&D for therapies targeting obesity and its comorbidities.
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Media article: The challenge of targeting chronic inflammation in obesity
In this article, ICON experts explore the connection of obesity and inflammation, the current treatment landscape and future treatment directions.
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Interdisciplinary expertise in obesity research services
ICON’s highly experienced clinical and therapeutic teams have expertise in conducting trials across a wide range of therapeutic areas including obesity, diabetes, cardiometabolic disorders and hepatology including MASH.