Dear Readers,

News headlines, on your Instagram feed, song lyrics, in day-to-day conversation; few concepts have captured the attention of both the scientific community and the general public quite like GLP-1s. 

The specific ‘how’ and ‘why’ of the science may not be the focus for the majority, but the rapid impact of this evolving drug class is evident to see, from diabetes management and obesity treatment to the seemingly endless potential clinical promise. But, beneath the hubbub of momentum, lies an undercurrent of tension, bringing harder questions into focus. Who shapes the long-term GLP-1 narrative once the hype subsides? What does responsible clinical research look like in obesity research? And how can we ensure that access frameworks keep pace with demand?

As this issue’s contributors, including hVIVO and IQVIA, acknowledge, there are no easy answers to any of these questions. What is clear, however, is that GLP-1s are entering a new phase. The past two years proved the strength of the foundational science could translate into transformative outcomes. The next chapter will test whether the ecosystem around it – investment, regulation, trial design, health systems, and public discourse – can evolve with equal rigour.

With all the excitement and hyperbole swirling around the term GLP-1, it’s easy to forget just how impactful these small molecules have been on the lives of patients around the world. Thanks to a small injection (or now pill) they have the opportunity to do things they have never been able to do before, enjoy the small moments of life without judgement or shame. It is our responsibility to keep that in mind as we move on to the next chapter of the GLP-1 story. The hype is easy, but it is the help that counts.

Happy reading, 

Eloise McLennan
Deep Dive editor