Our Focus

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Scientific Approach to Obesity white-right-arrow

Explore the science behind our pipeline and lead investigational medicine.

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Voices from the Patient Community white-right-arrow

Hear inspiring stories from people living with obesity and related conditions as they share their experiences.

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The People Behind the Science

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LEADERSHIP 06.05.2025

Meet the Woman Leading the Obesity and Related Conditions Team at Amgen
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PEOPLE & CULTURE 09.05.2024

From Rural France to Cutting-Edge Science: Murielle Véniant-Ellison’s Journey to Obesity Research
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Guided by Evidence

Overview of the Clinical Development Process​

Overview of the Clinical Development Process​
What is Real-World Evidence?

How Real-World Evidence Informs our Obesity Approach

Understanding Obesity

Obesity is a complex, chronic disease, influenced by genetic, behavioral and environmental factors, that increases the risk of many other serious related diseases and conditions, including type 2 diabetes, heart failure, sleep apnea, and cardiovascular disease.1,2 As one of the world's most prevalent, and often misunderstood diseases, obesity represents a major public health challenge with a profound unmet medical need.3

Obesity can greatly affect a person's quality of life and is linked to many serious health problems.3 Though leading medical organizations, including the American Medical Association and the European Health Commission, recognize obesity as a chronic disease, only 1-3% of eligible patients in the U.S. are prescribed medication for chronic weight management.4-6

Innovation in Care

Given the complexity of obesity and the number of people affected in different ways,1,2 a variety of approaches is needed to support the individual needs of those living with overweight, obesity and obesity-related conditions over time.

Explore the science behind our obesity pipeline and lead investigational medicine.

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40.3%
In the U.S., two in five adults are living with obesity7
2x
The worldwide prevalence of obesity more than doubled between 1990 and 20228
~ 1 billion
The number of people worldwide living with obesity9

References

  1. Singh V, Sun J, Cheng S, Kwan AC, Velazquez A. Obesity as a Chronic Disease: A Narrative Review of Evolving Definitions, Management Strategies, and Cardiometabolic Prioritization. Adv Ther. 2025;42(11):5341-5364.
  2. Health Risks of Overweight & Obesity. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/weight-management/adult-overweight-obesity/health-risks. Published May 2023. Accessed April 27, 2026.
  3. Ahmed SK, Mohammed RA. Obesity: Prevalence, causes, consequences, management, preventive strategies and future research directions. Metabol Open. 2025 Jun 14;27:100375.
  4. Burki T. European Commission classifies obesity as a chronic disease. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2021;9(7):[418].
  5. American Medical Association House of Delegates, 2013. Recognition of obesity as a disease. Resolution 420 (A-13). May 16, 2013. Chicago, USA.
  6. Kim C, Ross JS, Jastreboff AM, et al. JAMA. 2025;333(24):2203–2206.  
  7. Fryar CD, Afful J, Saif NT. Prevalence of overweight, obesity, and severe obesity among adults age 20 and over: United States, 1960–1962 through August 2021-August 2023. NCHS Health E-Stat. 2026 Feb;(111):1–7.
  8. World Health Organization: WHO. Obesity and overweight. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight. Published December 8, 2025. Accessed April 27, 2026.
  9. NCD Risk Factor Collaboration (NCD-RisC). Worldwide trends in underweight and obesity from 1990 to 2022: a pooled analysis of 3663 population-representative studies with 222 million children, adolescents, and adults. Lancet. 2024 Mar 16;403(10431):1027-1050.