Menlo Park, Calif., March 24, 2026 –Phenomix Sciences(Phenomix), the first commercial precision obesity medicine biotechnologycompany, today released a new report, “The 2026 State of Obesity TreatmentReport: Progress, Gaps, and the Path to Personalized Care,” examining howpatients view and make decisions about GLP-1 medications. Based on a nationalsurvey of people with overweight or obesity, most of whom have tried GLP-1s orother obesity medications, the findings show that while most patients seeGLP-1s as meaningful progress, they do not view them as a complete solution tothe obesity epidemic.
In the survey, 54% of patients describedGLP-1s as “a big step forward,” while only 33% viewed them as a definitivesolution. That perspective is reinforced by how patients view obesity morebroadly. The majority of patients (81%) said that obesity is a long-term healthcondition that requires ongoing care and support, reinforcing the view ofGLP-1s as part of a broader, clinically guided treatment journey rather than ashort-term fix.
Additional survey findings highlight gapsin patient education:
● Confidence does not equal understanding:While 65% of patients said they felt very or somewhat confident in theirunderstanding of GLP-1 risks, awareness of specific side effects varied widely.
● Patient understanding of key GLP-1 sideeffects is fragmented: Only 45% of patients said they were fullyaware of risks such as muscle or bone density loss, with the remainder eitherhaving limited understanding (37%) or being entirely unaware (17%)
● Education changes how patients approachtreatment: When presented with clearer informationabout risks and alternatives, 27% said they would seek more information beforedeciding, and 26% said they would reconsider whether GLP-1s are the rightoption for them. This suggests that education helps move patients from hypetoward more deliberate, informed decision-making.
“As we see more variability in howpatients respond to GLP-1s, it reinforces the importance of understanding theunderlying biology driving obesity. The more insight we have into why someonemay respond differently, the better positioned we are to guide treatmentdecisions from the start. This is where the concept of precision medicine ishelpful as we try to tailor obesity treatment to each individual instead ofexpecting the same result from a one-size-fits-all approach,” said Dr. LisaFerreira, MD at AdventHealth Medical Group.
When asked which sources they trust mostfor clear, unbiased information about GLP-1 medications and obesity treatment,patients most often cited primary care physicians and specialists, reinforcingthe central role clinicians play in guiding care decisions despite the growingvolume of patient-facing information.
“GLP-1s represent an important stepforward in obesity care, and patients recognize that,” Liv Williamsen, ChiefOperating Officer of Phenomix Sciences. “This survey suggests patients wantclearer, clinician-guided pathways that account for different responses, risks,and long-term needs, not just access to a single medication.”
These findings are part of Phenomix’sbroader 2026 State of Obesity Treatment Report, which explores patientperceptions, real-world outcomes, education gaps, and downstream care and costconsiderations associated with GLP-1 use. To review the full report, click here.
For more information about PhenomixSciences and supporting research, visit phenomixsciences.com.
AboutPhenomix Sciences
Phenomix Sciences is a precision obesity biotechnology companytransforming obesity care by putting patients at the center of therapeuticinnovation. Through proprietary genetic testing, advanced analytics, richclinical data, and technology exclusively licensed from Mayo Clinic, Phenomixdelivers individualized insights into how patients respond to specific weightloss interventions. These insights not only inform clinical decision-making forpatients but also help pharmaceutical and medical device partners refinetrials, identify high-responder populations, and accelerate the development ofmore targeted, effective therapies. By aligning patient biology with drugdiscovery, Phenomix is shaping a more personalized and impactful future forobesity treatment. Phenomix is backed by Health2047, the innovation arm of theAmerican Medical Association, which helps startups transform bold ideas intosolutions that change healthcare for the better. Learn more at www.phenomixsciences.com.
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