Dual and Triple Co-agonists: From Discovery to Best-In-Class | President Matthias Tschöp

In this keynote address, President Matthias Tschöp outlines the paradigm-shifting evolution of anti-obesity medications, moving from single-hormone targets to highly potent dual and triple co-agonists. He explores the historical journey of engineering GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon into single molecules to maximize weight loss and metabolic benefits. Furthermore, he presents provocative new preclinical data on a GLP-1-free GIP/glucagon dual agonist designed to mitigate common gastrointestinal side effects, alongside cutting-edge research on delivering small-molecule hormones directly to specific tissues. Key Topics Covered: The Evolution of Incretin Therapies: The transition from GLP-1 mono-agonists to highly engineered dual and triple receptor co-agonists. Dual Agonists in Action: How combining GLP-1 with glucagon or GIP successfully improves weight loss and glucose tolerance compared to older therapies. Triple Co-agonists: The engineering and efficacy of GIP/GLP-1/glucagon molecules that drive up to nearly 30% body weight loss in advanced trials. Targeted Hormone Delivery: Utilizing incretin peptide shuttles to selectively deliver small molecules, like PPARs or steroids, to combat specific obesity comorbidities. A GLP-1-Free Approach: Preclinical data introducing a novel GIP/glucagon dual agonist that maintains robust weight loss while potentially eliminating nausea and gastrointestinal intolerance. Matthias Tschöp trained at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Germany. After completing a research fellowship at Eli Lilly (Indianapolis, USA, 1999–2002), he established his own laboratory at the German Institute of Human Nutrition in Potsdam (2002–2003). At the University of Cincinnati (USA, 2003–2011), he advanced to Research Director and Endowed Chair of Medicine. He was then jointly recruited back to Germany by Helmholtz Munich and the Technical University of Munich, where he held an Alexander von Humboldt Professorship until 2025. He served as CEO of Helmholtz Munich (2018–2025) and as Vice President of the Helmholtz Association (2023–2024). His seminal discoveries leading to highly effective drugs for human obesity have been recognized with multiple awards, including an ERC Advanced Grant, the Banting Medal, the Heinrich Wieland Prize, the Ernst Schering Prize and the Rolf Luft Award. Matthias Tschöp now serves as President of Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München.