Phenomix Sciences has announced new data supporting its MyPhenome test at Obesity Week 2025, taking place from 4-7 November in Atlanta, Georgia (US). The studies, led by Mayo Clinic researcher and Phenomix co-founder Dr. Andres Acosta, confirm the test’s ability to predict patient response to GLP-1 therapies such as semaglutide and to assess genetic risk for obesity and related conditions across diverse populations.

Phenomix Sciences’ proprietary, machine-learning–based Genetic Risk Score (GRS) underpins the MyPhenome test, enabling clinicians to identify biological factors influencing obesity and personalize treatment strategies before therapy even begins.

Predicting GLP-1 Response After Bariatric Surgery

One study focused on post-bariatric surgery patients, exploring whether the MyPhenome test could predict responsiveness to GLP-1 therapy more than a decade after surgery.

Results showed that patients classified as Hungry Gut Positive lost an average of 10.0% of total body weight at six months, nearly double the 5.2% achieved by Hungry Gut Negative patients. This indicates that genetic and phenotypic profiles remain relevant long after surgical interventions, offering providers a reliable way to optimize pharmacologic care.

“These results show that we have a tool that can accurately predict response to semaglutide regardless of patient population,” said Dr. Acosta. “That’s a major step forward in precision obesity medicine, confirming that therapy response can be understood and anticipated before a treatment plan even begins.”

Another study extended these findings to racially and ethnically diverse groups. Among 158 participants — 43% African American, 34% Asian, and 23% other backgrounds — Hungry Gut Positive individuals achieved an average 9.6% body weight loss at 12 months, compared to 4.4% among non-Hungry Gut patients.

This validation across multiple demographic groups strengthens the case for MyPhenome’s clinical utility in real-world settings. By accurately identifying patients likely to respond to GLP-1 treatments, the test may help improve outcomes and reduce trial-and-error in obesity care.

Large-Scale Study Links Genetic Risk to Obesity and Disease

A third investigation, an 88,200-patient analysis, among the largest of its kind, evaluated MyPhenome’s GRS as a population-level screening tool.

Researchers found that patients with a high GRS were significantly more likely to develop metabolically unhealthy obesity, with higher rates of obesity (46% vs 31%), type 2 diabetes (OR 1.46), and obstructive sleep apnea (OR 1.60) than those with lower scores.

“This large-scale dataset reinforces what we’ve seen in clinical studies,” said Mark Bagnall, CEO of Phenomix Sciences. “Our MyPhenome test consistently reveals the biological variability in obesity and the best candidates for GLP-1 treatment. It not only strengthens our diagnostic foundation but also opens the door to novel therapeutic targets through our AI-driven predictive models.”

Obesity Landscape

The obesity treatment space is currently dominated by drugs that target glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). Novo Nordisk’s weight loss drugs, Wegovy (semaglutide) and Saxenda (liraglutide), raked in DKK65.1 billion ($9 billion) in sales last year.  However, it has received stiff competition from Eli Lilly’s dual GLP-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor agonist Zepbound (tirzepatide), which generated $4.9 billion in sales in 2024.

There has been an increased interest in amylin analogues in the obesity treatment space in recent months. Earlier this month, AbbVie signed a $2.2 billion licensing deal with Danish company Gubra for the latter’s obesity treatment, GUB014295.

Smaller players are also betting on non-GLP-1 innovation. Pila Pharma, for example, recently secured funding to advance its TRPV1-targeting oral obesity drug.