Allurion to Combine GLP-1 Therapy with Balloon for Obesity Treatment
Allurion Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: ALUR), a company focused on combating obesity, has announced plans to launch a clinical study exploring the combination of the Allurion Balloon with GLP-1 agonists. The study will primarily investigate the combined use of the Allurion Balloon with lower-dose GLP-1 agonists to enhance long-term tolerability and improve adherence to GLP-1 therapy. This initiative seeks to address the common issue of early discontinuation of GLP-1 therapy, aiming to demonstrate that the combination can offer better patient outcomes.
It is well-documented that a significant portion of patients using GLP-1 agonists for weight loss discontinue their treatment early. Research indicates that approximately 30% of patients stop GLP-1 therapy within the first month, and 58% discontinue before achieving meaningful weight loss results. Several factors contribute to this, including side effects, the need for dose escalation to maintain weight loss, and the high cost of medication. Allurion aims to tackle these challenges with its balloon therapy, combining it with GLP-1s to potentially improve patient adherence and enhance the overall effectiveness of treatment.
Previous studies have shown promising results when the Allurion Balloon was used alongside short-term GLP-1 therapy. In one notable randomized, double-blind study published in Obesity Surgery, participants who received the Allurion Balloon along with oral semaglutide, a GLP-1 agonist, experienced greater weight loss and a higher rate of co-morbidity resolution at the four-month mark, compared to those who only used the Allurion Balloon. This suggests that combining the Allurion Balloon with GLP-1 therapy may result in better patient outcomes, potentially leading to more sustained weight loss.
Dr. Shantanu Gaur, Founder and CEO of Allurion, highlighted the issue of poor adherence and adverse side effects in the GLP-1 treatment space. “Low adherence and adverse side effects are significant challenges in the GLP-1 space,” said Dr. Gaur. “Early data suggests that by combining GLP-1s with the Allurion Balloon, patients can achieve far more sustainable weight loss than with GLP-1s alone.
We believe that this combination can reduce side effects and help patients stay on GLP-1s for a longer period. Additionally, this approach could strengthen the patient-doctor relationship and offer a range of benefits to patients, healthcare providers, and pharmaceutical companies. For patients, it means sustained weight loss; for healthcare providers, it offers more profitable, long-term practice opportunities; and for pharma, it results in higher, more consistent medication utilization.”
The Allurion Balloon is part of the Allurion Program, a comprehensive weight loss platform designed to help patients achieve lasting results. The program combines the world’s first swallowable, procedure-less gastric balloon with the Allurion Virtual Care Suite, which includes the Allurion Mobile App for patients and Allurion Insights for healthcare providers. These tools offer a personalized approach to weight management, with a focus on monitoring progress and maintaining patient engagement throughout the treatment journey. The Allurion Gastric Balloon, which is an investigational device in the United States, has already been used in thousands of patients worldwide, contributing to the company’s growing presence in the weight loss space.
With the new clinical study, Allurion hopes to further advance its position in the obesity treatment market by addressing key obstacles such as treatment discontinuation and medication side effects. By combining its non-invasive balloon therapy with GLP-1s, Allurion aims to create a more sustainable and effective solution for patients struggling with obesity. The study’s findings could potentially lead to broader adoption of this combination approach, offering a new avenue for patients who have not been able to achieve lasting weight loss through traditional methods.
This study is a continuation of Allurion’s ongoing efforts to innovate in the obesity treatment field and offer patients a holistic, personalized approach to weight loss. The combination of the Allurion Balloon with GLP-1 therapy could become a breakthrough solution, offering patients a unique and more manageable treatment option for obesity that addresses both the physiological and behavioral components of weight loss.
In conclusion, Allurion’s new clinical study is set to explore the potential of combining the Allurion Balloon with GLP-1 therapy to address some of the biggest challenges in obesity treatment. With promising early data, the company is poised to provide a more sustainable and effective solution for patients, healthcare providers, and pharmaceutical companies alike. If successful, this combination could revolutionize the way obesity is treated and help millions of people achieve lasting weight loss and improved health outcomes.
