Latest news with #NicholasSyhler
Reuters
14-05-2025
- Health
- Reuters
Health Rounds: Study suggests lower Wegovy dose might be just as effective
May 14 (Reuters) - (To receive the full newsletter in your inbox for free sign up here) The usual dose of Novo Nordisk's ( opens new tab expensive weight-loss drug Wegovy can be cut in half without affecting the results, researchers reported on Tuesday at the European Congress on Obesity in Malaga, Spain. They tracked nearly 2,700 participants in an employer-sponsored weight-loss treatment program who were receiving the GLP-1 drug semaglutide - the main ingredient in Wegovy and Novo's diabetes drug Ozempic. Patients experienced as much weight loss as was seen in earlier clinical trials, but with half the dose, the researchers said. During the 64-week study, participants lost an average of 16.7% of their body weight on a mean dose of just 1.08 milligrams of semaglutide per week, substantially lower than the typical 2.4 mg dose. This was true regardless of body mass index at the start. Nearly 98% of participants lost at least 5% of their starting body weight, a threshold widely recognized as clinically meaningful. Many kept the weight off even after stopping the medication. As GLP-1 use grows and employers' insurance plans need to adapt to the costs, 'the study points to a path toward meaningful outcomes without escalating drug costs,' the researchers said in a statement. Some analysts have forecast sales of newer weight-loss drugs reaching $150 billion a year in the next decade. Embla, the Danish digital weight loss clinic that led the program, uses a treat-to-target protocol that holds doses steady when patients are progressing, with fewer than 30% of users escalating beyond 1 mg per week. 'When care is designed around the patient, lower doses often prove sufficient," Nicholas Syhler, Embla co-CEO, said in a statement. A report of the study, opens new tab by Soren Seier and colleagues at the University of Copenhagen is awaiting peer review. Researchers have identified a potentially crucial component of diabetic nerve pain that could lead to new treatments for the debilitating condition, they reported in Nature Communications, opens new tab. 'Treatment options are not great, and if the underlying diabetes is not managed, people may require amputation due to damage to the peripheral nerves to the point of loss of sensation,' study leader Stephanie Shiers of The University of Texas at Dallas said in a statement. In tissue samples from patients with diabetic neuropathy, the researchers found Nageotte nodules, which are dead sensory nerve cells that have decayed, inside clusters of nerve cells called sensory ganglia. The nodules 'appear to be a sign of degeneration' resulting from damage caused by high blood sugar levels, Shiers said. The finding that Nageotte nodules are a strong indicator of nerve cell death in human sensory ganglia suggests they could become a target for drugs that would protect the nerves or help manage diabetic neuropathy. 'In my view, one of the most important insights we gained from this work is thinking about treating diabetic neuropathic pain differently," senior author Dr. Ted Price of The University of Texas at Dallas said in a statement. "I think what we need to focus on now is neuroprotection at early stages of disease so that these Nageotte nodules do not form in the first place.' BREAST TISSUE TRAITS HELP PREDICT CANCER RISK Women with any of six different breast tissue textures may be at higher risk for breast cancer, researchers reported on Tuesday in Radiology, opens new tab. The researchers used computer algorithms to analyze mammograms of more than 30,000 women without breast cancer, looking for patterns and characteristics that might not be visible to the human eye. They identified six sets of characteristics and then looked at a further set of mammograms from another 3,500 women. The sets of traits, or phenotypes, were associated with a higher risk of invasive breast cancer in both Black and white women -- although it was higher among Black patients -- as well as a higher risk of having a cancer missed on a mammogram or developing a cancer in between scheduled routine mammograms, the researchers said. 'Breast cancer tends to be more aggressive in Black women, highlighting the need for novel risk factors in this population,' co-senior author Despina Kontos of Columbia University Irving Medical Center. In a separate study, researchers at the National Cancer Institute identified a series of changes in the architecture and cell composition of connective tissues of the breast, known as stromal tissue, associated with an increased risk of developing aggressive breast cancer among women with benign breast disease, and poorer rates of survival among women with invasive breast cancer. The changes, which they call stromal disruption, could potentially be used as a biomarker to identify women with noncancerous lumps, cysts, and other changes in breast tissue who are at high risk of developing aggressive breast cancers, as well as those with breast cancer who may be at increased risk of recurrence or death, the researchers said in a report to appear on Wednesday in The Journal of the National Cancer Institute, opens new tab. They used machine learning to detect subtle changes in the stroma of 4,023 donated samples of healthy breast tissue, 974 biopsies of tissue with benign breast disease, and 4,223 biopsies of tissue with invasive breast cancer. (This is an excerpt of the Health Rounds newsletter, where we present latest medical studies on Tuesdays and Thursdays)
Malaysian Reserve
14-05-2025
- Health
- Malaysian Reserve
New Study Challenges GLP-1 Norms With Strong Results on a Fraction of the Usual Dose
In one of the largest and longest real-world obesity studies to date, Embla tracked nearly 2,700 adults over 64 weeks and achieved 16.7% average weight loss using 66% less semaglutide than typical U.S. doses Results presented at the European Congress on Obesity, one of the world's top scientific meetings on obesity research, validate a personalized dosing model that pairs clinical oversight with structured coaching and tapering With GLP-1s projected to drive annual pharmacy costs above $150 billion, Embla formally launches its coaching-led, lower-dose care model to U.S. employers seeking sustainability AUSTIN, May 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Embla today announced results from a 64-week real-world study presented at the European Congress on Obesity, tracking nearly 2,700 adults in a digital GLP-1 treatment program. The study found that participants lost an average of 16.7% of their body weight on a mean dose of just 1.08 mg of semaglutide per week, substantially lower than the typical 2.4 mg target used in most U.S. treatment models. Nearly 98% of participants lost at least 5% of their starting body weight, a threshold widely recognized as clinically meaningful, and many sustained results even after tapering off the medication entirely. As GLP-1 adoption grows among U.S. employers, the study points to a path toward meaningful outcomes without escalating drug costs. It suggests that many patients may be escalated to higher doses by default, and that structured support, dose personalization, and behavioral coaching could offer a more sustainable model. Embla is now making its approach available to U.S. employers as an alternative to high-dose GLP-1 programs. 'GLP-1s are powerful tools, but the tools too often become the treatment. When care is designed around the drug, doses are pushed higher by default. But when care is designed around the patient, lower doses often prove sufficient,' said Nicholas Syhler, co-founder and co-CEO, Embla. 'Our landmark study confirms that patients can achieve strong outcomes with less medication and underscores the urgency for a more thoughtful and sustainable approach to obesity care. It's time to rethink how we define effective care.' GLP-1 use is skyrocketing across U.S. employer health plans, with annual spending projected to surpass $150 billion within the decade. While many weight care programs aim to combine medication access with coaching and support, the industry has largely normalized dose escalation as the default, often without clear tapering protocols or long-term planning. Employers are absorbing rising pharmacy costs and navigating pressure from patients and providers alike, sometimes in absence of clarity on how to sustain outcomes or manage treatment duration. Behind the landmark study's outcomes is a care model that departs meaningfully from the norms of U.S. GLP-1 programs. Embla uses a treat-to-target protocol that holds doses steady when patients are progressing, with fewer than 30 percent of users escalating beyond 1 mg per week. Every patient receives ongoing clinical oversight, access to trained human coaches and a structured tapering plan that begins once goals are met, which is a level of behavioral and pharmacologic integration still uncommon in the space. 'GLP-1s have created a wave of opportunity, but also a wave of confusion, especially in markets like the U.S. where cost, access, and care delivery often pull in different directions,' said Laust Wilster Axelsen, co-founder and co-CEO, Embla. 'Employers, clinicians, and patients all want better outcomes, but they also want predictability, safety, and a sense of control. Our model is built to deliver that with a clinical framework that supports tapering, reinforces behavior change and makes results more sustainable.' Embla's coaching is grounded in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), two evidence-based modalities shown to support lasting behavior change in weight management. This psychological layer complements the clinical protocol and is central to Embla's effort to make obesity care more durable, accessible, and patient-centered. Embla's study, titled 'Treat to Target in Weight Management with Semaglutide: Real-World Evidence from an eHealth Clinic,' is available as a preprint and under peer review. Full publication is expected later this year. For more information, visit About Embla Embla is a turnkey, digital weight care solution built for cost-conscious U.S. employers. Combining GLP-1 micro-dosing with expert psychology-based coaching, Embla delivers an average 16.7% weight loss in 12 months, using 66% less medication. That means better outcomes, fewer side effects, and lower costs. Embla's approach is validated by one of the world's largest real-world GLP-1 studies and supported by partnerships with the University of Copenhagen and biotech giant Novonesis. Founded in Denmark, the home of GLP-1, Embla is trusted by U.S. pharmacies and available in the U.S., the UK and Denmark. Media Contact:embla@
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
New Study Challenges GLP-1 Norms With Strong Results on a Fraction of the Usual Dose
In one of the largest and longest real-world obesity studies to date, Embla tracked nearly 2,700 adults over 64 weeks and achieved 16.7% average weight loss using 66% less semaglutide than typical U.S. doses Results presented at the European Congress on Obesity, one of the world's top scientific meetings on obesity research, validate a personalized dosing model that pairs clinical oversight with structured coaching and tapering With GLP-1s projected to drive annual pharmacy costs above $150 billion, Embla formally launches its coaching-led, lower-dose care model to U.S. employers seeking sustainability AUSTIN, May 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Embla today announced results from a 64-week real-world study presented at the European Congress on Obesity, tracking nearly 2,700 adults in a digital GLP-1 treatment program. The study found that participants lost an average of 16.7% of their body weight on a mean dose of just 1.08 mg of semaglutide per week, substantially lower than the typical 2.4 mg target used in most U.S. treatment models. Nearly 98% of participants lost at least 5% of their starting body weight, a threshold widely recognized as clinically meaningful, and many sustained results even after tapering off the medication entirely. As GLP-1 adoption grows among U.S. employers, the study points to a path toward meaningful outcomes without escalating drug costs. It suggests that many patients may be escalated to higher doses by default, and that structured support, dose personalization, and behavioral coaching could offer a more sustainable model. Embla is now making its approach available to U.S. employers as an alternative to high-dose GLP-1 programs. "GLP-1s are powerful tools, but the tools too often become the treatment. When care is designed around the drug, doses are pushed higher by default. But when care is designed around the patient, lower doses often prove sufficient," said Nicholas Syhler, co-founder and co-CEO, Embla. "Our landmark study confirms that patients can achieve strong outcomes with less medication and underscores the urgency for a more thoughtful and sustainable approach to obesity care. It's time to rethink how we define effective care." GLP-1 use is skyrocketing across U.S. employer health plans, with annual spending projected to surpass $150 billion within the decade. While many weight care programs aim to combine medication access with coaching and support, the industry has largely normalized dose escalation as the default, often without clear tapering protocols or long-term planning. Employers are absorbing rising pharmacy costs and navigating pressure from patients and providers alike, sometimes in absence of clarity on how to sustain outcomes or manage treatment duration. Behind the landmark study's outcomes is a care model that departs meaningfully from the norms of U.S. GLP-1 programs. Embla uses a treat-to-target protocol that holds doses steady when patients are progressing, with fewer than 30 percent of users escalating beyond 1 mg per week. Every patient receives ongoing clinical oversight, access to trained human coaches and a structured tapering plan that begins once goals are met, which is a level of behavioral and pharmacologic integration still uncommon in the space. "GLP-1s have created a wave of opportunity, but also a wave of confusion, especially in markets like the U.S. where cost, access, and care delivery often pull in different directions," said Laust Wilster Axelsen, co-founder and co-CEO, Embla. "Employers, clinicians, and patients all want better outcomes, but they also want predictability, safety, and a sense of control. Our model is built to deliver that with a clinical framework that supports tapering, reinforces behavior change and makes results more sustainable." Embla's coaching is grounded in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), two evidence-based modalities shown to support lasting behavior change in weight management. This psychological layer complements the clinical protocol and is central to Embla's effort to make obesity care more durable, accessible, and patient-centered. Embla's study, titled "Treat to Target in Weight Management with Semaglutide: Real-World Evidence from an eHealth Clinic," is available as a preprint and under peer review. Full publication is expected later this year. For more information, visit About Embla Embla is a turnkey, digital weight care solution built for cost-conscious U.S. employers. Combining GLP-1 micro-dosing with expert psychology-based coaching, Embla delivers an average 16.7% weight loss in 12 months, using 66% less medication. That means better outcomes, fewer side effects, and lower costs. Embla's approach is validated by one of the world's largest real-world GLP-1 studies and supported by partnerships with the University of Copenhagen and biotech giant Novonesis. Founded in Denmark, the home of GLP-1, Embla is trusted by U.S. pharmacies and available in the U.S., the UK and Denmark. Media Contact:embla@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Embla Sign in to access your portfolio
