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
News: Therapy Watch HCV expands into 4 additional EU markets
The HCV market has been growing and changing remarkably quickly and with the development of new and improving drugs, the treatment of HCV has moved on in a short space...
News: Research Partnership launches new patient report – Living with Ulcerative Colitis
Living with UC is a quantitative study conducted online amongst 325 patients, including both adult and paediatric patients diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 5 EU markets (France, Germany, Italy, Spain...
Summer Intern experience at Research Partnership
We look for bright and inquisitive people who want to learn in a company that's pushing the boundaries of pharmaceutical market research
Double win at Communiqué 2016: Pegasus scoops awards for Consultancy of the Year (for the second time!) and Excellence in Media Relations
Pegasus, an Ashfield company, part of UDG Healthcare plc, is delighted to have won the prestigious Consultancy of the Year award at the 2016 Communiqué Awards in London. The judges...
Beyond Andrology: Trends in Men’s Health in Emerging Markets
Published in eyeforpharma July 2016 by Rachel Howard
Pharma & life sciences division growth allows Pegasus to fill three new senior positions
Pegasus has expanded its pharma & life sciences senior team by appointing a new Associate Director and promoting two members of the existing team to Account Directors.
Infographic: HIV Market Snapshot
Our latest HIV infographic, taken from data collected from syndicated tracking study Therapy Watch, reveals that more than 3 in 5 naive or switch patients are currently treated with a STR (single...
Infographic: The vaccine opportunity in Asia
As predicted, the vaccine market in emerging and developing countries has continued to expand. While the global vaccine market is expected to grow at around 12% annually over the next...
Webinar: What next for biosimilars?
Tuesday 19th July 15:00 BST/10:00 EDT/16:00 CEST
Understanding the Patient Journey
The patient journey is changing. Patients are now much more educated and engaged. They have access to information and want to be involved in decisions around their treatment programme. Technology...