Advancing Obesity Clinical Development: Emerging Strategies for Next‑Gen Trials

Biotech, Clinical Trials, Drug Discovery & Development, Life Science, Pharma,
  • Friday, October 03, 2025 | 10am EDT (NA) / 3pm BST (UK) / 4pm CEST (EU-Central)
  • 60 min

With global recognition of obesity as a complex, chronic disease impacting over one billion people, advancements in obesity clinical development are progressing faster than ever before. Novel pharmacologic agents, advances in lifestyle intervention strategies and new approaches to trial design are reshaping how researchers evaluate efficacy, safety and long‑term outcomes. This fast-paced change brings new opportunities, as well as challenges, to sponsors who are trying to accomplish meaningful and sustainable outcomes.

In this webinar, medical and operational experts will discuss key trends and emerging strategies that are shaping the future of obesity research. Discussion will cover muscle preservation as a vital endpoint, recognizing that lean mass loss tends to impair one’s physical and metabolic function. This webinar will also discuss maintenance therapy and switch designs that address the chronic nature of obesity and the long-term need to maintain the benefits post-initial weight loss. Pharmacologic outcomes can be enhanced by the integration of diet and lifestyle interventions, and innovative models for incorporating these elements will also be discussed.

By combining scientific innovation with operational foresight, this webinar will offer practical strategies for designing obesity trials that address long‑term patient needs, integrate novel endpoints and generate data that drives the success of obesity clinical trials.

Register for this webinar to learn the latest trends in obesity clinical development, including methods for incorporating imaging capabilities to capture functional and metabolic health outcomes beyond weight loss.

Speakers

Dr. Phillippa Miranda, Medpace

Dr. Phillippa Miranda, MD, Sr. Vice President, Medical Department, Medpace

Dr. Phillippa Miranda received her MD from Duke University School of Medicine and completed her residency in internal medicine and her fellowship in endocrinology at Duke. She served on the faculty in the Division of Endocrinology at Duke University Health System for five years prior to transitioning to industry in 2008. Dr. Miranda is board certified in endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism. Her therapeutic expertise covers a wide range of metabolic indications with significant medical monitoring experience in the areas of obesity, MASH, type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Dr. Miranda has more than 17 years of CRO experience conducting clinical research studies and is well-versed in the conduct and safety surveillance of studies in endocrinology, hepatology and metabolic disorders.

Message Presenter
Douglas Lee, Medpace

Douglas Lee, MB, ChB, MRCP, MBA, Vice President, Medical Department, Medpace

Dr. Douglas Lee has over 25 years of experience in clinical medicine and drug development, with specialized expertise in endocrinology, metabolism and liver diseases. Prior to joining Medpace, he served as Global Senior Medical Director at a major pharmaceutical company, where he led the design and oversight of global development programs in diabetes and obesity and guided regulatory approvals for three diabetes products in Europe. Dr. Lee is a Member of the Royal College of Physicians and the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine (UK), and serves as a clinical reviewer for the journal of Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism.

Message Presenter
Dr. Salvatore Zabbatino, Medpace

Dr. Salvatore Zabbatino, MD, Sr. Director, Core Laboratories, Medpace

Dr. Salvatore Zabbatino has over 30 years of experience in pharmaceutical and device clinical research. He has been a part of the Medpace leadership team since its founding in 1992, serving as Director in key departments. Dr. Zabbatino has held leadership roles across a number of areas, including Clinical Operations, Regulatory, Medical Writing, Biometrics/Data Management, IT, Imaging and Cardiovascular services.

He focuses on integrating and optimizing the clinical, operational and technical aspects needed to conduct multinational studies across multiple therapeutic indications. Dr. Zabbatino has extensive experience with imaging and other biomarkers of drug and device safety and efficacy in clinical trials, including DXA (BMD and TBC), cardiac echo, cardiac SPECT, ultrasound, MR, CT, endoscopy, photography, ECG, Holter and ABPM.

Message Presenter
Andy Hood, Medpace

Andy Hood, Director, Clinical Trial Management, Medpace

Andy Hood brings over 12 years of clinical research experience, including more than six years dedicated to obesity and weight management trials. As Obesity Therapeutic Group Lead at Medpace, he has managed global Phase I-III studies, successfully guiding the execution of complex trials and building strong collaborations with key opinion leaders and research sites worldwide.

Message Presenter

Who Should Attend?

This webinar will appeal to VPs, Directors, Managers and Department Heads working within:

  • Clinical Affairs
  • Clinical Research
  • Clinical Pharmacology
  • Clinical Outsourcing
  • Clinical Operations
  • Regulatory Affairs
  • Medical Affairs

What You Will Learn

Attendees will:

  • Understand the latest trends in obesity trial design, including muscle preservation, maintenance therapy and integrated lifestyle interventions
  • Learn methods for incorporating imaging capabilities to capture functional and metabolic health outcomes beyond weight loss
  • Explore strategies for promoting cross-disciplinary collaboration to enhance trial quality, efficiency and long-term clinical relevance

Xtalks Partner

Medpace

Medpace is a scientifically-driven, global, full-service clinical contract research organization (CRO) providing Phase I-IV clinical development services to the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical device industries. Medpace’s mission is to accelerate the global development of safe and effective medical therapeutics through its high-science and disciplined operating approach that leverages local regulatory and deep therapeutic expertise across all major areas including oncology, cardiology, metabolic disease, endocrinology, central nervous system and anti-viral and anti-infective.

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