Obesity can be defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may present a health risk. Being obese increases the risk of developing a variety of diseases including type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, obstructive sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, depression and metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease. 

The discovery, development and launch of Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy (semaglutide), a glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist, and Eli Lilly’s Zepbound/Mounjaro (tirzepatide), a dual GLP-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) agonist, have finally provided therapeutic options that are closing the gap between lifestyle modifications and surgery, as well as stimulating a dramatic increase in R&D relating to obesity drug treatment.