Latest weapon unveiled in fight against obesity

A new capsule was recently cleared by the US Food and Drug Administration to help adults who are overweight or obese shed some pounds when used along with diet and exercise, according to the biotechnology company Gelesis, which developed the product. Research finding that this weight management approach has a “strong safety and efficacy profile” was presented Monday at the 26th European Congress on Obesity in Glasgow, Scotland. The research was funded by Gelesis. The company announced FDA clearance this month and noted that the product, called Plenity, is the only prescription weight management product cleared for use by overweight adults with a body mass index of 25 or higher. Nearly 40% of people 20 and older in the United States are living with obesity. Gelesis said Plenity will be broadly available by prescription in the United States in 2020.