Personal genomics and biotechnology company, 23andMe, has announced it is shutting down its internal drug discovery group, and shifting its focus to the popular GLP-1 drugs. The decision will result in the loss of 30 jobs, as the company seeks an entry point in personalized weight loss treatment, amid struggles with declining revenue and a recent failed bid to take the company private.

23andMe launches a new large-scale study looking at the genetics behind why GLP-1 weight loss drugs work for some of us but not others and whether genetics play a role for those who experience side effects.

Big Data

Because of the massive scale of the 23andMe research database, our scientists believe we can quickly scale this study and leverage the millions of people who have consented to participate in 23andMe research to gain insights into these widely used medications. Our goal is to recruit 10,000 research participants for this study.

“Leveraging the world’s largest genetic and phenotypic database for research, we aim to study real-world evidence of GLP-1 efficacy to discover genetic predictors of response to treatment,” said Michael Holmes, MD & Ph.D., 23andMe Principal Scientist for Research Innovation, who’ll be overseeing this research. “Identifying genetic predictors through leveraging discoveries from the 23andMe Research Cohort consisting of millions of individuals facilitates precision medicine by deriving a genetically predicted treatment response personalized to each individual”, he added. “We expect this to accelerate precision medicine in the burgeoning field of weight loss medicines.”

GLP-1 Availability

In conjunction with this study, 23andMe’s telehealth platform, Lemonaid Health, plans to launch a new weight loss membership program. That program will include prescription GLP-1 medication and clinical consultations.

The weight loss management service fits within 23andMe’s broader strategy of delivering services to improve people’s health through prevention. The hope is that the GLP-1 research study will deepen our understanding of the efficacy of GLP-1s for weight loss.

Genetic Weight

For several years, scientists at 23andMe have studied weight loss and related issues, such as how a person’s genetics affect their response to diet and exercise. In 2017, the company began offering customers a Genetic Weight Report powered by 23andMe research that looks at hundreds of genetic variants to provide personalized “Healthy Habits” that show which lifestyle modifications have the most significant impact on weight based on someone’s genetics. This report complements the Saturated Fat & Weight Report, which offers personalized insights about the effects of saturated fat intake on weight and provides motivation to make healthy dietary changes.

Many people struggle with maintaining a healthy weight. More than two-thirds of adults in the United States are overweight or obese, leading to many downstream adverse health outcomes, according to data from the National Institutes of Health. Many of these people have tried and struggled to lose weight either through diet or exercise, which partly explains the recent surge in popularity of GLP-1s. One in eight adults in the US report using a GLP-1 drug for weight loss, diabetes, or heart disease, according to a poll from the Kaiser Family Foundation.

The Growing Use of GLP-1s

GLP-1s, or glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, are a class of medications that mimic the GLP-1 hormone released during digestion. Their role is to prompt the body to produce insulin, which, in turn, reduces blood sugar. The hormone also interacts with the brain and reduces appetite. Along with aiding in weight loss, the drugs have proven effective for treating chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes and heart disease. There is even early evidence that GLP-1s may help with Parkinson’s disease, arthritis, Alzheimer’s, and sleep apnea.

While the drugs can be highly effective for some people, they are not effective for everyone. GLP-1s also carry a risk for side effects that include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. In rare cases, they can lead to more severe side effects such as pancreatitis, kidney problems, bowel obstruction, or allergic reactions. 23andMe’s scientists want to understand why and explore potential genetic associations related to the drug’s efficacy and some of these side effects. The research will follow participants over time to know how these medications work.

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