Why Sponsors Should Be Using Community Research In Obesity And Diabetes Trials

By Miranda McLaren

The obesity drug development landscape is rapidly evolving, driven by the World Health Organization's recognition of obesity as a critical public health problem. With projections indicating over 161.5 million cases in major pharmaceutical markets by 2033, the demand for effective treatments is surging. Despite this promising trajectory, significant barriers in patient recruitment and retention persist, particularly among socioeconomically disadvantaged populations affected by obesity stigma.

To combat these challenges, innovative patient-centric strategies are being employed, including mobile research and community-based clinical trial sites. These approaches enhance participant experience and ensure trial populations are more representative of the diverse demographics impacted by obesity and diabetes. PCM Trials, a leader in mobile research, has expanded its capabilities through strategic acquisitions, enabling community outreach initiatives that successfully engage underrepresented groups. By establishing hospital-based research centers and leveraging digital technologies, these efforts aim to dismantle mobility and geographic barriers, ultimately aligning clinical trial populations with real-world demographics and improving outcomes in metabolic disease research.