SHERIDAN, WYOMING – July 21, 2025 – The American Diabetes Association’s 2025 Scientific Sessions spotlighted the evolving priorities of obesity drug development, emphasizing muscle preservation, improved tolerability, and novel molecular targets. With global analysts projecting the anti-obesity market to exceed $150 billion annually by the early 2030s, biopharmaceutical companies are racing to innovate beyond first-generation GLP-1 therapies.
Obesity Treatment Leaders Refocus on Patient Experience
At ADA 2025, leading voices underscored a critical industry shift toward patient-centric treatment design. “What’s missing from the obesity space is a stronger focus on patient experience—specifically ease of use, accessibility, and preserving muscle mass,” John Gagliano, senior director at BioPharmCatalyst, stated in an email to BioSpace. Echoing this view, Samuel Redfern of BMI noted that gastrointestinal side effects and muscle loss remain key drawbacks of current GLP-1 therapies. Redfern pointed to muscle-preserving and alternative pathways as promising avenues for sustainable market growth.
Lilly’s Bimagrumab Delivers Muscle Preservation Promise
Eli Lilly captured attention with new data on its activin/myostatin type II receptor antibody bimagrumab. Presented during ADA, Phase IIb BELIEVE trial results showed that bimagrumab combined with semaglutide cut body weight by 22.1% over 72 weeks—92.8% of which was fat loss. Bimagrumab alone induced a 10.8% reduction, entirely from fat.
BMO Capital Markets analysts hailed the results as “robust” and “impressive,” positioning bimagrumab as a potential adjunct to GLP-1 therapies. However, Leerink Partners flagged safety concerns, citing elevated cholesterol, liver enzymes, and side effects such as muscle spasms and diarrhea. “We continue to model zero sales for bimagrumab,” Leerink concluded.
Novo Nordisk Pushes Amylin-Based Innovations Despite Mixed Signals
Novo Nordisk remains a key player in the amylin modulation arena, despite setbacks with its semaglutide/amylin combo CagriSema. Following a disappointing Phase III readout in late 2024, Novo showcased promising early-phase results for amycretin—its GLP-1/amylin dual agonist—at ADA. After 36 weeks, patients saw a 23.2% weight reduction (placebo-adjusted). Still, William Blair cautioned that amycretin’s adverse event profile could temper market enthusiasm.
Novo remains committed, announcing plans to advance both injectable and oral amycretin into Phase III trials starting Q1 2026.
Zealand Pharma Combines GLP-1 and GLP-2 for Broader Metabolic Impact
Zealand Pharma’s GLP-1/GLP-2 dual agonist dapiglutide introduced a novel mechanism aimed at addressing obesity-linked inflammation. Phase Ib data indicated an 11.6% weight loss over 28 weeks, with potential benefits for comorbid conditions like cardiovascular and liver diseases. William Blair analysts suggested that dapiglutide’s underwhelming headline data might be due to atypical trial demographics, hinting at stronger performance in broader patient populations. Zealand plans to initiate Phase II trials later this year.
Scholar Rock’s Myostatin Inhibitor Shows Lean Mass Preservation
Scholar Rock’s apitegromab targets latent myostatin, offering a differentiated approach by preserving muscle during weight loss. ADA data from the EMBRAZE trial revealed that combining apitegromab with tirzepatide halved lean mass loss compared to tirzepatide alone over 24 weeks. Olivia Tidwell of BioPharmCatalyst emphasized its potential across the cardiometabolic spectrum. With a strong safety profile and regulatory review for spinal muscular atrophy underway, Jefferies analysts see apitegromab’s approval as a potential de-risking event.
Terns Pharmaceuticals Advances Thyroid Receptor Strategy
Though absent from ADA, Terns Pharmaceuticals’ THR-β agonist TERN-501 offers another angle on metabolic regulation. Designed for liver-selective action, TERN-501 aims to enhance fat loss while minimizing cardiotoxicity risks. Preclinical models demonstrated significant fat reduction when combined with semaglutide. By refining thyroid hormone pathways, Terns seeks a differentiated market position in obesity pharmacotherapy.
Strategic Outlook for the Obesity Therapeutics Market
The ADA 2025 sessions highlighted a shared industry vision: moving beyond simple weight loss toward comprehensive metabolic care with patient-friendly, combination-driven therapies. As companies navigate safety, efficacy, and differentiation challenges, the race for next-generation anti-obesity blockbusters is set to redefine market dynamics.
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