Beyond GLP-1s: Patients Seek Personalized Obesity Treatments

MENLO PARK, CA – April 07, 2026 – The meteoric rise of GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound has reshaped the conversation around weight loss, but a new report suggests the narrative may be too narrow, leaving patients uninformed and hungry for more personalized options. A national survey released today by precision medicine company Phenomix Sciences reveals that while these blockbuster medications dominate discussions, a significant majority of patients are open to alternative treatments once they are made aware of them.

The findings, part of the "2026 State of Obesity Treatment Report," highlight a critical education gap in a market exploding with growth. While pharmaceutical giants Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk are posting tens of billions in sales for their GLP-1 offerings, the report indicates that the focus on this single class of drugs may be overshadowing a more nuanced, individualized approach to care that patients increasingly desire.

A Glaring Education Gap

The survey, which polled U.S. patients with experience using weight-loss medications, found a striking lack of awareness regarding the full spectrum of available treatments. A staggering 57% of respondents reported being completely unaware of or unfamiliar with comparable non-GLP-1 weight-loss options, such as the FDA-approved medication Qsymia.

This lack of information appears to be a primary driver of the current treatment landscape. However, the survey demonstrates that patient preference is not fixed. When provided with information about alternatives, 68% of patients said their views on medication changed. This shift was significant: 25% became more open to trying non-GLP-1 options, another 25% expressed a desire to discuss all available options with their doctor, and 18% reported becoming less interested in GLP-1s.

This suggests a powerful, untapped demand for more comprehensive and collaborative decision-making between patients and providers. The data also revealed broad confusion about the appropriate use of GLP-1s. Patients were evenly split, with 39% believing the drugs should be available to anyone seeking weight loss and an equal 39% thinking they should be prioritized for individuals with obesity and serious health risks. This division underscores a need for clearer guidance in a field grappling with its own rapid evolution.

The Shadow of the GLP-1 Boom

The patient awareness gap exists within the context of an unprecedented market boom. The global anti-obesity drug market, which stood at over $30 billion in 2026, is projected by some analysts to soar past $150 billion by 2035. This growth is almost entirely fueled by GLP-1 receptor agonists.

In 2025 alone, combined sales for Eli Lilly’s tirzepatide products, Mounjaro and Zepbound, crossed the $10 billion mark in a single quarter. Similarly, Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy sales climbed dramatically, reaching approximately $8 billion for the full year 2024. This commercial success is amplified by massive direct-to-consumer advertising campaigns that have made these brand names household words.

Lost in the shuffle are other FDA-approved medications for chronic weight management, including phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia) and naltrexone-bupropion (Contrave). While these treatments have been available for years, they lack the marketing muscle and cultural momentum of their newer counterparts, contributing to the low awareness reported in the Phenomix survey. The intense focus on a single mechanism of action has created a perception of a "one-size-fits-all" solution, a notion the new data directly challenges.

The Provider's Dilemma in a Shifting Landscape

Healthcare providers are positioned at the center of this complex dynamic. Despite the flood of direct-to-patient marketing, physicians remain the most trusted source of information for patients navigating obesity treatment. However, they face the challenge of managing patient expectations shaped by media hype while adhering to clinical best practices that call for individualized care.

Professional guidelines from organizations like the Endocrine Society have long recommended a comprehensive approach to obesity, starting with diet, exercise, and behavioral therapy, with medication as a supportive tool. These guidelines include a range of pharmacological options beyond GLP-1s, yet the current environment can make it difficult to have conversations that extend beyond the most popular drugs.

"These findings suggest that as obesity treatment evolves, patients are looking for broader awareness of available treatment options, clearer information to guide decisions, and a better understanding about which therapies may be most appropriate," said Mark Bagnall, CEO of Phenomix Sciences, in the company's press release. "GLP-1s represent meaningful progress, but obesity treatment is complex and increasingly moving toward more personalized care guided by patient biology, treatment response, and individual needs, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach."

The Dawn of Precision Obesity Medicine

The patient demand for personalization highlighted in the report aligns with an emerging field of medicine aiming to provide just that. Phenomix Sciences is at the forefront of this movement, developing tools that move beyond treating obesity as a single condition. The company, which spun out of research from the Mayo Clinic, has developed a diagnostic test, MyPhenome™, that uses genetic and biological markers to classify a patient's obesity into one of four distinct "phenotypes": Hungry Brain, Hungry Gut, Emotional Hunger, and Slow Burn.

The premise is that by understanding the underlying biological driver of an individual's obesity, clinicians can select a treatment—be it a specific medication, dietary change, or other intervention—that is most likely to be effective for them. Early data has suggested that this phenotype-guided approach can nearly double the effectiveness of weight loss therapy.

This precision approach represents a significant departure from the current model. Instead of cycling through different drugs to see what works, a process that can be costly and frustrating for patients, precision medicine aims to get it right from the start. Phenomix is not alone; a growing number of biotechnology firms and academic institutions are exploring AI-driven analytics, genetic testing, and other technologies to tailor obesity care. This shift could fundamentally change pharmaceutical R&D, encouraging the development of companion diagnostics and therapies targeted at specific patient subgroups, rather than searching for the next universal blockbuster. As new formulations, such as oral GLP-1s, enter the market, the need for clear, personalized guidance on which treatment is right for which patient will only become more critical.