Originally developed to treat diabetes, GLP-1 agonists have been found to suppress appetite and reduce calorie intake, fueling their growing popularity as obesity drugs. According to JP Morgan, the total number of GLP-1 users in the US may reach 30m by 2030, or around 9% of the population. But what is the opportunity for the consumer health industry? According to Kerry Group’s scientific director Mathieu Millette, there are two main areas that companies could target. Firstly, there are the pre-and post-GLP phases, when consumers may want natural GLP-1 alternatives to help them lose weight or maintain the weight loss achieved on the drug. And secondly, during use, consumer health products can help address some of the unwanted side-effects of GLP-1s, for example gastrointestinal issues. Of course, as Millette tells HBW insight in this episode of the Over the Counter podcast, marketers also need to be mindful of the regulatory environment around health claims, especially in the EU.

Timestamps

2:20 – Introductions

3:30 – What are GLP-1 agonists?

8:50 – What’s the opportunity for consumer health companies?

16:00 – Is this a European trend as well?

17:40 – Health claims: the regulatory environment

25:00 – Natural GLP-1 alternatives

Guest Bio

Mathieu Millette is scientific director for Bio-K Plus International and RDA director for digestive health within Kerry Group’s proactive health division. Millette leads a team of talented scientists dedicated to elucidating the mechanisms of action of probiotics and to understanding the interactions between beneficial microorganisms, the gut microbiome, and the gastrointestinal tract. Millette is also associate professor at INRS-IAF, a member of the Association of Microbiologists of Quebec and is highly involved with the International Probiotic Association.