Victoria Johnson joined the MJH Life Sciences in 2020 and has written for NeurologyLive, CGTLive, and now HCPLive. You can reach her at vjohnson@mjhlifesciences.com

Victoria Johnson

Concurrent Lifestyle Intervention Enhances Semaglutide Weight Loss, with Qiaochu Xue, PhD, MPH

Concurrent lifestyle intervention was associated with greater weight loss in people with overweight or obesity receiving semaglutide treatment and less regain following discontinuation.

These findings were from an emulated trial from data from the VA MOVE! Program, a Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP)-style lifestyle intervention (LI) led by Hui Shao, MD, PhD, associate professor in the Hubert Department of Global Health, and the School of Public Health at Emory University. They were presented by Qiaochu Xue, PhD, MPH, Post-Doctoral Fellow at the Emory Global Diabetes Research Center,at the 

2025 American Diabetes Association (ADA) Scientific Sessions

The analysis included 2,403 participants from VA MOVE! who initiated semaglutide from 2019 to 2024 that were matched 1:3 to those without LI, using high-dimensional propensity score matching to balance baseline characteristics. Xue and colleagues used generalized mixed-effects models to assess body weight trajectories from semaglutide initiation through 12 months following discontinuation.

The investigators found that individuals with concurrent LI achieved greater weight loss before semaglutide discontinuation (-8.3% vs. -7.4%, 

<.001). Furthermore, at 12 months following discontinuation, LI participants had greater net weight loss (-5.8%) compared to nonparticipants (-3.3%; 

"Most of the phase 3 clinical trials have reported that semaglutide has some weight loss effect for most of the type 2 diabetes patients, or even overweight or obesity patients, but we don't know if during their semiglutide usage period if adding the MOVE program, that combined lifestyle intervention and the medication will increase the weight loss benefits,” Xue told 

Xue Q, Li P, Staton E, et al. 2199-LB: Weight Loss Maintenance following Semaglutide Discontinuation—The Role of Concurrent Lifestyle Intervention. 

. 2025;74(Supplement_1). doi: 10.2337/db25-2199-lb

Videos

Lifestyle intervention yielded greater maintained weight loss 12 months after discontinuing semaglutide than without.

Welcome to HCPLive's 5 Stories in Under 5—your quick, must-know recap of the top 5 healthcare stories from the past week, all in under 5 minutes. Stay informed, stay ahead, and let’s dive into the latest updates impacting clinicians and healthcare providers like you!

Interested in a more traditional, text rundown? 

Top 5 Healthcare Headlines for June 30-July 6, 2025:

Sebetralstat FDA-Approved as First Oral, On-Demand for Hereditary Angioedema

The FDA approved sebetralstat (Ekterly) on July 7, 2025, as the first oral, on-demand treatment for hereditary angioedema attacks in patients aged 12 and older, backed by phase 3 KONFIDENT trial data.



Rilparencel Improves eGFR Slope in Phase 2 CKD, Diabetes REGEN-007 Trial

Rilparencel significantly slowed kidney function decline in CKD patients with diabetes in the REGEN-007 trial, showing dose-responsive eGFR slope improvements after two injections per kidney.



J&J Submits sNDA to FDA for Lumateperone (CAPLYTA) to Prevent Schizophrenia Relapse

J&J filed a supplemental NDA for lumateperone after phase 3 data showed a 63% reduction in schizophrenia relapse risk compared to placebo.



FDA Publishes CRLs for Past Drug, Biological Product Applications

The FDA publicly released over 200 Complete Response Letters from 2020–2024 to increase regulatory transparency and help accelerate future drug approvals.



FDA Grants TSND-201 Breakthrough Therapy Designation for PTSD


TSND-201 (methylone) received Breakthrough Therapy designation for PTSD on July 10, 2025, offering a potential rapid-acting alternative to SSRIs, which can take up to 12 weeks for full effect.


Podcasts

An audio recap of the top 5 stories in healthcare news from the week of 06/30-07/06.



HCPLive 5 Stories in Under 5: Week of 07/06

Advocating for Patients: Securing Access to Nonsteroidal Topicals Like Roflumilast

 RX Review Special Report, Mona Shahriari, MD, Associate Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Yale University, sits down with David Hartigan, a biologic coordinator with Biologic Coordinators of Dermatology, to discuss strategies for overcoming access challenges to non-steroidal topicals like roflumilast foam for people with plaque psoriasis (PsO) on the scalp.

In this clip, recognizing that efficacy is irrelevant without availability, Shahriari and Hartigan share key documentation and communication tips that can help clinicians and staff navigate insurance approvals more efficiently.

Hartigan emphasizes the importance of accurate, detailed documentation—including treatment area, body surface area (BSA), and prior medication history—within provider notes and prior authorizations. He notes a recent trend in payers requesting evidence of concurrent topical therapy, especially non-steroidals, for patients already on biologics. Shahriari adds that correct ICD coding and alignment with FDA indications are essential for ensuring age- and condition-specific approval.

Both highlight the growing role of specialty pharmacies in simplifying access by applying manufacturer copay programs and proactively sourcing alternative funding. They also stress the value of persistence—sharing success stories where staff-led appeals and thorough documentation reversed initial denials. Shahriari, a patient herself, reinforces the medication’s utility as a safe, simple, and steroid-free option she routinely relies on and recommends.

Lastly, they emphasize the importance of advocacy and the responsibility clinicians and coordinators have in securing the therapies their patients need.

Editor's note: The FDA approved Arcutis Biotherapeutics's roflumilast under the name Zoryve as the first foam option available for scalp psoriasis in May 2025.

Tackling Real-World Barriers in Scalp Psoriasis Treatment Delivery

Formulation Matters: Managing Scalp Psoriasis Across Hair Types

The Role of Roflumilast in Long-Term Psoriasis Management

Counseling Patients With Psoriasis on Roflumilast and Nonsteroidal Topicals

Bridging and Enhancing Biologic Response With Targeted Topicals for Scalp Psoriasis

is Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Yale University School of Medicine, the Associate Director of Clinical Trials at CCD Research and a senior editor for the Journal of Psoriasis and Psoriatic arthritis. She also hosts 

is a biologic coordinator for Optima Dermatology and the Education Chair for Biologic Coordinators of Dermatology. 

Relevant disclosures for Shahriari include AbbVie, Dermira, Cara, Dermavant, Novartis, Union, BMS, Leo, Eli Lilly, Sanofi, Regeneron, UCB, and others. Hartigan reports no relevant disclosures.

Arcutis Biotherapeutics. Arcutis’ ZORYVE® (roflumilast) Topical Foam 0.3% Approved by U.S. FDA for the Treatment of Plaque Psoriasis in Adults and Adolescents Ages 12 and Older - Arcutis Biotherapeutics. Arcutis Biotherapeutics. Published May 22, 2025. Accessed May 22, 2025. 

https://www.arcutis.com/arcutis-zoryve-roflumilast-topical-foam-0-3-approved-by-u-s-fda-for-the-treatment-of-plaque-psoriasis-in-adults-and-adolescents-ages-12-and-older/

In this video, the last in a 6-part series, panelists discuss recent advancements in PsO management.

Advocating for Patients With Psoriasis: Securing Access to Nonsteroidal Topicals Like Roflumilast

 RX Review Special Report, Mona Shahriari, MD, Associate Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Yale University, sits down with David Hartigan, a biologic coordinator with Biologic Coordinators of Dermatology, to explore integrating topical roflumilast into the treatment regimens of patients on biologics, particularly for managing residual or scalp psoriasis. 

In this clip, Shahriari emphasizes that even among patients with moderate-to-severe disease on systemic therapy, topicals remain essential to maintaining long-term disease control. She outlines 3 key roles for roflumilast in biologic workflows. First, it serves as a therapeutic bridge while patients await biologic approval or navigate insurance delays. Second, for patients hesitant to initiate systemic therapy, it provides a non-steroidal, well-tolerated alternative that can manage symptoms while allowing time for decision-making. Finally, among patients already receiving biologics, tapinarof functions as a reliable adjunct for addressing breakthrough lesions—what she refers to as “touch-up paint”—helping maintain clearance and potentially delaying or avoiding unnecessary treatment switches.

She highlights the importance of minimizing disruptions in effective biologic regimens and notes that roflumilast can be safely used in combination with systemic agents, with no FDA contraindications. This flexibility allows for seamless integration into existing care plans while reducing the administrative burden on biologic coordinators and preserving therapeutic continuity.

In this video, the fifth in a 6-part series, panelists discuss recent advancements in PsO management.

Victoria Johnson

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