GLP-1 drugs have rapidly revolutionized the treatment of Type 2 diabetes and obesity, with promising future applications for other medical problems, including addiction, on the horizon. Though Ozempic and Wegovy have fast become household names, many are still unaware that these drugs have their origins in university research.
In the 1970s, Harvard University researcher Joel Habener, with support from the National Institutes of Health, set out to study the hormone glucagon and its role in blood sugar regulation. Through his research on the anglerfish, Habener discovered the molecule that became the basis for GLP-1 drug therapies.
Decades after the initial findings, America’s leading research universities continue to produce groundbreaking GLP-1 research. Indiana University researcher Richard DiMarchi played a crucial role in the development of GLP-1 drugs for obesity treatment. Other universities are conducting research that could lead to next-generation GLP-1 drugs.
GLP-1 drugs have started to reshape Americans’ health and food spending. Today, some studies estimate that 12% of Americans have used GLP-1 drugs for weight loss, potentially leading to a recent decline in obesity, while also offering benefits for comorbid conditions like sleep apnea and heart disease. Use of GLP1 medications, together with research into new therapeutic applications, is fueling a multimillion-dollar market built around this breakthrough.