Menlo Park, Calif., January 7, 2026 –Phenomix Sciences(Phenomix), the first commercial precision obesity medicine biotechnology company, today announced findings from a new study led by Timothy O’Connor, PhD, Chief Technology Officer at Phenomix and presented at the 2026 Pacific Symposium on Biocomputing (PSB). The study demonstrates the feasibility of using Phenomix’s machine-learning Genetic Risk Score (ML-GRS) framework, as used in the commercial MyPhenomeTM test, to identify risk for the Emotional Hunger phenotype in individuals with obesity.
The Emotional Hunger phenotype is characterized by a tendency to eat in response to positive or negative emotions and is associated with higher levels of anxiety, depression, and reward-driven food intake. Previous studies suggest patients with this phenotype can benefit from behavioral therapy as well as obesity medications like naltrexone/bupropion. While Emotional Hunger is a clinically relevant obesity phenotype, until now, the lack of a genetic biomarker made it challenging to study and apply at scale.
The study examined whether genetic variants associated with anxiety- and depression-related neurotransmitter pathways could help identify Emotional Hunger risk. Select behavioral survey responses, particularly those related to loneliness, improved risk identification, and pointed to opportunities for more targeted intervention, including diet, behavioral therapy, and medications such as naltrexone/bupropion. These early findings suggest that Emotional Hunger has a measurable biological signal and that the ML-GRS can identify individuals at elevated risk, supporting additional research into real-world and clinical utility.
“Our platform is built around rich biological data and strict data and machine-learning governance. This governance allows us to explore complex traits like Emotional Hunger in a way that is reproducible and scientifically grounded,” said O’Connor. “This study validates that our platform can be extended across phenotypes. “We have access to extensive clinical and biological datasets fundamental to understanding the biology of obesity. As we extend our technologies to these data, we expect to identify additional phenotypes and biological mechanisms. This study supports that we are ready to meet the challenge of adding precision to a field that is being inundated with a growing number of medications and therapies.”
This research builds on prior clinical studies showing that phenotype-guided obesity treatment can be twice as effective as traditional one-size-fits-all approaches. Data published in Cell Metabolism further demonstrates how the MyPhenome test, informed by Phenomix’s ML-GRS, can help guide more effective use of GLP-1 and phentermine/topiramate therapies based on patient biology.
“Emotional Hunger is a real contributor to weight gain, and it’s often overlooked or misunderstood in today’s obesity care,” said Dr. Andres Acosta, MD, PhD, cofounder of Phenomix Sciences and obesity expert at the Mayo Clinic. “These early findings reinforce where the field is headed: precision obesity care that recognizes the biological, behavioral, and emotional components of the disease. This research is an encouraging step toward personalization at scale.”
The MyPhenome test is the first commercial precision medicine test for obesity and is already in use at nearly 400healthcare clinics nationwide. To learn more, visit myphenometest.com.
For more information about Phenomix Sciences and supporting research, visit phenomixsciences.com.
About Phenomix Sciences
Phenomix Sciences is a precision obesity biotechnology company transforming obesity care by putting patients at the center of therapeutic innovation. Through proprietary genetic testing, advanced analytics, rich clinical data, and technology exclusively licensed from Mayo Clinic, Phenomix delivers individualized insights into how patients respond to specific weight loss interventions. These insights not only inform clinical decision-making for patients but also help pharmaceutical and medical device partners refine trials, identify high-responder populations, and accelerate the development of more targeted, effective therapies. By aligning patient biology with drug discovery, Phenomix is shaping a more personalized and impactful future for obesity treatment. Phenomix is backed by Health2047, the innovation arm of the American Medical Association, which helps startups transform bold ideas into solutions that change healthcare for the better. Learn more at www.phenomixsciences.com.
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