Obesity: Biophytis Charts Its Course Toward a Booming Market
Biophytis is seizing a major opportunity in the expanding obesity market by addressing an unmet medical need: preserving muscle mass and function in patients losing weight while treated with GLP-1 receptor agonists.
GLP-1 therapies such as semaglutide and tirzepatide have revolutionized obesity management by enabling significant weight loss. However, up to 40% of total weight lost can come from muscle tissue, raising concerns about long-term mobility, strength, and metabolic health. Biophytis is at the forefront of this challenge with its lead drug candidate, BIO101 (20-hydroxyecdysone), the first oral MAS receptor activator designed to counteract muscle wasting associated with GLP-1-induced weight loss.
Recent positive clinical results with enobosarm and bimagrumab-two agents targeting muscle preservation in obesity-further confirm the critical need for therapies that address muscle loss during weight reduction. These results not only expand the market potential for obesity treatments that preserve muscle mass but also pave the way for a clearer and more favorable regulatory pathway. Biophytis views these developments as a major opportunity, strengthening the relevance and timeliness of its OBA program with BIO101.
Market Potential and Strategic Positioning
With the global obesity market expected to reach $100 billion by 2030 and 96% of obese patients suffering from impaired muscle strength, Biophytis is uniquely positioned as the only company offering a solution focused on muscle quality and mobility restoration in this context. The growing recognition of this need by the pharmaceutical industry is reflected in recent large-scale acquisitions and partnerships within the sector.
Stanislas Veillet, CEO of Biophytis, commented: “We estimate that BIO101 has the potential to become the reference molecule for preserving muscle function in obese patients treated with GLP-1 receptor agonists. Our expertise in muscle diseases and the promising results already obtained in obesity will accelerate our clinical plan and position Biophytis as a key player in this rapidly growing market.”