ADA 2025 Recap: 5 Studies on Obesity to Know

The 2025 American Diabetes Association (ADA) Scientific Sessions held June 20–24 in Chicago showcased the latest trajectory of obesity treatment. While years past have been defined by the arrival and validation of GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide and tirzepatide, this year’s meeting highlighted the next steps, with new studies evaluating broader therapeutic formats, higher-dose strategies, and dual-target combinations designed for sustained efficacy and greater patient flexibility.

Across multiple late-breaking presentations, investigators delivered pivotal data on once-monthly injectables, oral GLP-1 agonists, and novel co-agonist therapies, many of which showed clinically meaningful weight loss, improved glycemic outcomes, and tolerable safety profiles in both people with and without type 2 diabetes.

Check out our study recaps below and use the related content links for expert perspectives direct from the conference floor!

5 Obesity Studies to Know From ADA 2025

1. Once-Monthly Obesity Drug, MariTide, Achieves Weight Loss Up to 16% at 1 Year
Amgen’s Phase 2 study presented at ADA 2025 showed that monthly MariTide led to 12%–16% average weight loss in adults with obesity and 8.4%–12% in those with T2D over 52 weeks. Impressively, participants continued to lose weight throughout the study with no plateau observed, suggesting potential for further reduction. The drug also produced notable improvements in cardiometabolic markers, including reductions in HbA1c, blood pressure, and lipids, with a tolerable GI side‑effect profile; most AEs were mild to moderate.

2. ACHIEVE-1: Oral GLP-1 Agonist Orforglipron Shows Strong HbA1c, Weight Reductions
In Lilly’s ACHIEVE‑1 Phase 3 trial of oral orforglipron, participants achieved A1c reductions of 1.24–1.48% across doses and weight loss ranging from 4.5% to 7.6% by week 40, significantly outperforming placebo. Moreover, >65% of those on the highest dose reached A1c ≤ 6.5%, with mean A1c falling into the non-diabetic range (6.5%–6.7%). The regimen was well‑tolerated, with mild-to-moderate GI side effects and no severe hypoglycemia or liver safety concerns.

3. ADA 2025: CagriSema Demonstrates Dual Benefit in Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes
Data from the REDEFINE program highlighted that combined CagriSema therapy resulted in mean weight loss of 20.4% over 68 weeks in non-T2D adults (REDEFINE‑1) and 15.7% in those with T2D (REDEFINE‑2), significantly exceeding outcomes seen with either component alone or placebo. The combination also achieved improvements in glycemic control and metabolic biomarkers, while maintaining a safety profile consistent with GLP‑1 and amylin therapies.

Related Content: Diabetes Dialogue: REDEFINE 1 and REDEFINE 2, with Timothy Garvey, MD, and Melanie Davies, MD

4. STEP UP: Higher Semaglutide Doses Yield Greater Weight Loss in Obesity

New analyses from semaglutide trials demonstrated dose-dependent percentage weight loss, with use of semaglutide 7.2 mg (Wegovy) associated with a mean reduction in body weight of 21% in people with obesity with acceptable tolerability. More than 30% of semaglutide 7.2 mg users achieved weight loss of 25% or greater during the 72-week trial in findings that support Novo Nordisk's plans to file for a label update in the European Union in the second half of 2025, followed by regulatory submissions in other markets where semaglutide 2.4 mg is already approved.

5. SLIMMER: Ecnoglutide Demonstrates Weight Loss Potential in Phase 3 Trial

The novel GLP-1/glucagon receptor dual agonist ecnoglutide showed significant weight loss benefits in adults with overweight or obesity. At 32 weeks, participants treated with ecnoglutide 2.4 mg once weekly achieved a placebo-adjusted mean weight reduction of 14.7%, demonstrating strong efficacy. These results position ecnoglutide as a potential future contender in the competitive obesity treatment space and showcase proof-of-concept for the value of dual-agonist strategies.