ADA 2026 delivered exactly what we expected and then some. New Phase III results. Fresh safety questions. Exciting next-generation therapies. And one growing realization:
The future of obesity medicine is going to be far more complicated than asking which drug produces the most weight loss.
Dave welcomed Jen (@JcanNuSH) back to On The Pen to separate the signal from the noise and unpack what these new data actually mean for people living with obesity.
Here are a few of the biggest takeaways:
Tolerability continues to be one of the biggest challenges. Several promising medications showed impressive efficacy but came with significant rates of nausea and vomiting. It was a reminder that even the most effective treatment only works if people can stay on it.
Servodutide shifted the conversation beyond weight loss. While overall weight loss was more modest, MRI data showed dramatic reductions in liver fat and visceral fat. For people living with MASLD or fatty liver disease, that could be incredibly meaningful.
UBT-251 emerged as one of the most exciting molecules to watch. Novo’s triple agonist delivered nearly 20% weight loss in just 24 weeks, with participants still appearing to have room for further progress.
Monthly and oral treatments are moving closer to reality. From Pfizer’s barobenetide to Novo’s xenogamtide, researchers are exploring new ways to improve convenience, consistency, and access.
The era of personalized obesity treatment is arriving. Some medications may prove especially beneficial for liver health. Others may excel in diabetes management, tolerability, or long-term maintenance. The question is becoming less about “Which drug is best?” and more about “Which drug is best for this patient?”
Another important theme emerged throughout the conference: placebo-controlled trials are becoming increasingly difficult in a world where effective obesity treatments already exist. Researchers, regulators, and patients are all beginning to rethink what future trial designs should look like.
The good news is that more companies are entering the field. More competition could eventually lead to greater access, more choices, and pricing pressure that benefits patients.
That may be the most hopeful takeaway from ADA 2026.
The future of obesity medicine is not one drug. It’s options.
In this episode, Dave and Jen break down the studies behind the headlines, explain why some “disappointing” trials may still represent important breakthroughs, and help the OTP community understand what these developments could mean in real life.
Listen to the full episode on the podcast or watch on YouTube. Jen’s charts and reference slides are available at otplinks.com.
What stood out to you from ADA? Drop your questions and hot takes in the comments. We may feature them in a future conversation with Jen.
