In the United States, 1 in 10 people has diabetes, which affects how the body processes food for energy. One possible therapy is a double glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) injectable once a week and a glucagon-like peptide receptor (GLP) agonist, whose objective is to control blood sugar. Injected under the skin, GLP-1 and GIP receptors cause the pancreas to release insulin and block the hormone glucagon, limiting blood sugar spikes after a meal. In addition, it slows digestion, making people stay full longer and eat less.
So far, late phase III clinical trials reveal that the treatment significantly reduces hemoglobin A1C in type 2 diabetes and contributes to weight loss, making it the most effective treatment for diabetes and obesity ever developed.