Reframing the Obesity Conversation: Key Takeaways from ObesityWeek® 2025
November 28, 2025 | obesity
As the understanding of obesity continues to evolve, so too does the science, patient experience, and cross-sector collaboration driving innovation. At ObesityWeek® 2025 in Atlanta, experts from across Inizio reflected on the latest research, the shifting clinical landscape, and how collaboration across disciplines can improve care for people living with obesity.
In this post-event roundtable, Matt Wadyka (Inizio Medical), Alexis Cogswell (Real-World iNSIGHTS, Inizio Medical), Varun Renjen MD (Putnam, part of Inizio Advisory), and Elaine Ferguson (Inizio Medical) share their perspectives on what’s shaping the next phase of obesity care.
Putting patients at the center of decision-making
Matt Wadyka, Senior Vice President at Inizio Medical, reflected on how the voice of the person living with obesity is becoming central to clinical progress.
“What I’m most excited about is the evolving role of the patient in their own decision-making when it comes to healthcare with obesity,” said Matt. “With multidisciplinary teams in attendance, it’s clear that keeping the patient at the center is foundational to making the right decisions for the right person at the right time.”
He also noted that the pace of innovation is accelerating rapidly, with new entrants transforming the scientific dialogue.
“For a long time, there were only a couple of major players in the space,” he explained. “Now, with so many new companies and modalities, we’re seeing an explosion of new science that’s changing how we think about treatment, and even how we define the disease itself.”
Redefining obesity through data and real-world insight
Alexis Cogswell, Vice President, Real-World iNSIGHTS, Inizio Medical, emphasized that the shift toward recognizing obesity as a chronic, multifactorial condition is reshaping how data is applied in practice.
“At Real-World iNSIGHTS, we’re really interested in understanding how new data are being taken into clinical practice by providers globally,” said Alexis. “The reframing of obesity as a chronic condition makes perfect sense given the breadth of GLP-1 approvals in recent years.”
She also previewed the upcoming Clinical Excellence Summit in Obesity, taking place next April, which will explore how groundbreaking research presented at ObesityWeek® is influencing clinical decisions.
“We’ll be looking at how these treatments are being used for the people who need them most, with conversations that include patients, providers and payers.”
Redefining the science of obesity
For Varun Renjen MD, Partner at Putnam (part of Inizio Advisory), one of the biggest scientific shifts is the very definition of obesity itself.
“It’s not just about reducing weight from a BMI perspective,” said Varun. “Obesity is a complex heterogenous physiological process that affects multiple organs – the heart, kidney, lungs, liver, and even the brain across the same pathway. There is a clear pathological process in obesity that affects the whole body”
He described the meeting as a sign that the field is entering a new era of treating obesity including precision and personalization.
“We’re at the beginning of a true scientific revolution, redefining what obesity is as potentially cardiometabolic dysfunction, how it’s treated, and how care is customized across the patient journey. Whether it’s moving between therapies, mechanisms, modalities or quality of weight loss, we’re learning how to adapt treatments as people progress with GLP-1s and beyond. If in the past cancer was treated with chemotherapy and has rapidly progressed to different modalities and segments; that is where we are going with obesity.”
From weight loss to whole-body health
Elaine Ferguson, Global President, Inizio Medical, highlighted the remarkable diversity of science showcased this year.
“There’s been a real breadth of science this week, and the biggest impact for me is seeing all the different pathways and mechanisms under investigation,” said Elaine. “We’re seeing ambitious trial designs and outcomes that go far beyond weight loss, looking at organ protection and whole-body health.”
She also underscored the importance of hearing directly from people living with obesity at the congress.
“It’s been inspiring to hear their experiences – not just in terms of physical changes, but the overall improvements in health, energy, and quality of life.”
Looking ahead
Reflecting on the week, Matt summed up the opportunity ahead:
“Right now, there’s a big emphasis on insights. Next, it’ll be about data, and then the focus will turn to access and affordability. This is a pivotal moment to be part of the obesity field.”
From redefining the science to centering lived experience, the energy and collaboration seen at ObesityWeek® 2025 reaffirm that the field is moving fast, and Inizio is proud to be part of shaping its future.
Discover more about how Inizio is driving innovation across the obesity landscape
This content was provided by Inizio
Company Details
Latest Content from Inizio
Live Webinar: China in the fast lane: How to play and win in the world’s hottest emerging market
Tuesday 16th April 2019 10:00 EST/ 15:00 GMT / 16:00 CEST
Pegasus expands Pharma team with senior hires
Five new recruits support further growth of the Pharma & Life Sciences team
Webcast: Poker face revealed: Using facial analysis to uncover deeper levels of emotional insight
In the first part of our series covering market research innovations which have value in healthcare, we demonstrate how we've been using facial analysis to delve further into respondents' reactions...
Report: Living with RA (EU, Japan and Canada) 2019 reports
Research Partnership launches new patient Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis (EU & Japan) 2019 report.r Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a quantitative study conducted online amongst 390 patients diagnosed with RA in...
News: Therapy Watch launches a new wave of EU tracking in Psoriasis (PsO)
A panel of 40 dermatologists in each of the major EU markets reports on patients on advanced therapies including biologics and small molecule therapies every quarter. In addition from Q1...
Emerging Markets: Your Essential Guide
Using our combined knowledge and years of experience of working in these territories our emerging markets experts have produced this essential guide to help address some of the core challenges...
Live webinar: Navigating new frontiers: Ways to find space in the future RA market
In partnership with pharmaphorumThursday 21st March 201915:00 GMT / 16:00 CETRegister now to secure your place »The emergence of low-cost biosimilar versions of Humira and the new janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors,...
New appointments in our UK and New York offices
Research Partnership is delighted to announce various appointments across our offices. Ella Buckland joins as Research Executive, Ines Belchior joins as Research Analyst, and Emma Warburton joins as Business Development...
Pharma Market Research Conference NJ, 2019
We are delighted to be presenting and exhibiting at PMRC, 6-7 February in Newark, NJ.Representing Research Partnership at the conference will be New York-based Directors Liza Pliss and Mariana Servin.Liza...
Research Partnership ranks 13th in the top 20 fastest-growing agencies in the UK
The UK’s best performing market research agencies were revealed earlier this month with the publication of Research Live’s Industry Report for 2019, which includes the latest Market Research Society (MRS)...