Drugmakers are shifting focus from total weight loss to body composition, targeting muscle preservation and fat reduction as the next frontier in obesity treatment. At a medical conference in Milan, mid- and late-stage studies from Novo, Eli Lilly, and Regeneron indicated several drug candidates can better preserve muscle while helping shed problematic belly fat. Rapid weight loss often comes with the downside of losing significant muscle, which can increase the risk of falls and injuries.
Regeneron reported mid-stage data showing patients lost about two-thirds to three-quarters less thigh muscle than those taking semaglutide alone. Over 26 weeks, highest doses roughly halved the loss of lean mass compared to those on semaglutide. Eli Lilly researcher Dr. Juan Pablo Frías emphasized the goal is retaining muscle so patients can maintain mobility, stating, "I’d rather have more fat loss and slightly less weight loss, but retain more muscle.
I want you to be able to bend down and tie your shoe without difficulty." Novo presented data on Cagri Sema, showing Type 2 diabetes patients lost 14.3% of body weight over nine months and had less fat around the liver and pancreas. International patent applications for GLP-1s rose 28% in the 12 months to March 2026, highlighting the increasingly competitive landscape as companies differentiate their next-generation pipelines.
Source: Wall Street Journal US Business · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing