Day 2: Thursday, September 24Thursday, 24 September 2026

• Exploring a novel once-daily oral 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) inhibitor designed to selectively reduce tissue-specific cortisol regeneration from cortisone in obesity patients

• Outlining the apelin pathway as a therapeutic target to replicate the benefits of exercise through small molecule agonists.

• A preclinical overview, including incretin-based co-administration

Please contact Roshni Shah for more information: Roshni.shah@informa.com

• The current obesity treatment landscape highlights the need for clinically and commercially sustainable weight loss solutions, with improved tolerability to support patient adherence and enable long-term use.
• Aphaia is developing a novel glucose-based formulation that restores the physiological release of gastrointestinal hormones involved in glucose metabolism and appetite regulation, as demonstrated in Phase 1 and 2 studies, with a strong tolerability profile observed to date.
• Presenting results from a Phase 2 trial evaluating Aphaia’s formulation in individuals with obesity, conducted without concomitant lifestyle changes, calorie restrictions, or coaching, and discuss its potential position in the current treatment landscape.

• Delving into the role of stress and reward circuits in obesity pathophysiology and discuss how next-generation therapeutic approaches—particularly those leveraging neuropeptide signaling and CNS-penetrant modalities—may offer new avenues for durable efficacy.
• In addition, the talk will highlight key challenges in translating CNS-targeted therapies, including blood–brain barrier (BBB) exposure, pharmacokinetics, and the need for clinically relevant biomarkers. By integrating advances in neurobiology, drug delivery, and translational strategy, this perspective aims to reframe obesity drug development beyond peripheral mechanisms and toward a more comprehensive, systems-level approach.

Please contact Roshni Shah for more information: Roshni.shah@informa.com

• Exploring precise incorporation of non-canonical amino acids to create GLP-1 peptides with enhanced stability and improved pharmacokinetics

• Exploring an oral-based SARM (Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator), Enobosarm, to prevent muscle moss in older obese patients using GLP-1 agonists for weight loss

• Investigating monoclonal antibody targeting of INBHE and myostatin, and further application to GLP-1 combined therapies

• Updates on novel antibody-based strategy targeting amylin

Please contact Roshni Shah for more information: Roshni.shah@informa.com

• Insight into the Phase 2 COURAGE trial, exploring the potential of combined anti-myostatin and anti-activin A therapeutics as solution to preserve lean muscle mass for patients undertaking incretin-based therapeutics for weight-loss

• Reviewing recent trials in the neuroprotective potential of GLP-1 based therapeutics for Alzhiemers’ disease, and exploring future directions for application to neurogenerative diseases

• Delving into potential of incretin therapeutics to address gaps in the women’s health space, including insights on PCOS, HRT, and endometriosis

• Exploring clinical progress of a GLP-1 analog targeting low-grade inflammation causing osteoarthritis

• Insight into additional tissue-protective and analgesic properties

• Addressing the challenges of securing reimbursement for obesity treatments by engaging with diverse payer systems, while advocating for the recognition of obesity as a chronic disease requiring essential care.

• Analysing the differences in pricing models and reimbursement frameworks between the US and Europe, reflecting on the progress made by 2026, identifying pitfalls, and outlining actionable steps for 2027 to enhance patient access.

• Exploring how biotech and pharma can drive innovation to develop affordable, scalable obesity treatments that balance cutting-edge science with accessibility