How do I find Obesity clinical trials in the UK?

Use TrialConnect to search for actively recruiting Obesity clinical trials across the UK. Our results come directly from ClinicalTrials.gov and include eligibility criteria, trial phase, and contact details for each study.

Am I eligible for a Obesity clinical trial?

Eligibility depends on factors specific to your condition such as disease stage, prior treatments, biomarker status, age, and overall health. Each trial has inclusion and exclusion criteria. Use our Smart Matcher to find trials matched to your specific situation.

Are Obesity clinical trials free to participate in?

Yes. All clinical trials in the UK are free to participate in. The NHS or the trial sponsor covers all medical costs. Some trials also reimburse travel expenses and offer compensation for your time, especially in early-phase studies.

Condition Guide

Obesity & Weight Loss Clinical Trials
in the UK (2026)

26 May 2026 10 min read TrialConnect Research Team

Obesity is one of the UK's biggest health challenges, affecting 28% of adults in England and costing the NHS over £6 billion annually. The obesity treatment landscape has been revolutionised by GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide (Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) — but this is just the beginning. The next generation of treatments promises even greater weight loss, fewer side effects, and more personalised approaches. Here is what is actively recruiting in UK clinical trials.

The UK Obesity Trial Landscape

The UK has become a major hub for obesity clinical trials, driven by the NHS Long Term Plan's focus on weight management, NICE approval of GLP-1 therapies, and the global race to develop more effective treatments.

Currently there are over 250 actively recruiting obesity and weight management trials in the UK — one of the largest trial pipelines of any therapeutic area. The field is moving at extraordinary pace, with multiple drug classes in simultaneous development.

GLP-1 and Multi-Receptor Agonists

GLP-1 receptor agonists have transformed obesity treatment. Current UK trials are pushing these drugs further:

Semaglutide (Wegovy) — ongoing trials exploring higher doses, longer treatment durations, combination with other agents, and use in adolescents
Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) — a dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist with UK trials in higher BMI brackets, treatment sequencing after semaglutide, and maintenance therapy
Retatrutide — a triple agonist (GLP-1, GIP, glucagon) showing the highest weight loss percentages seen in clinical trials to date. Phase 3 trials are recruiting in the UK
Survodutide — a dual glucagon/GLP-1 agonist being studied in obesity with and without type 2 diabetes

A major focus is long-term outcomes — not just weight loss, but cardiovascular events, kidney outcomes, liver fat, sleep apnoea, and quality of life measures.

Next-Generation Weight Loss Drugs

Beyond incretin therapies, novel drug classes are emerging:

Oral GLP-1 Agonists

Pill formulations of GLP-1 agonists that could replace injections. Orforglipron and danuglipron are in Phase 3 trials at UK sites — a potential game-changer for access and adherence.

Amylin Analogues

CagriSema (cagrilintide + semaglutide) combines amylin and GLP-1 pathways. Phase 3 trials showing additive weight loss beyond semaglutide alone.

Muscle-Preserving Therapies

A concern with rapid weight loss is muscle loss. Trials combining GLP-1 agonists with muscle-building agents (myostatin inhibitors, exercise programmes) to preserve lean mass.

Gene Therapy Approaches

Early-phase trials exploring whether genetic approaches could provide long-lasting or permanent metabolic reprogramming for weight management.

Bariatric Surgery Trials

Bariatric surgery remains the most effective long-term treatment for severe obesity. UK trials are exploring:

Surgery vs medication — head-to-head comparisons of newer GLP-1 drugs against gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy
Endoscopic procedures — less invasive alternatives including endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty, intragastric balloons, and duodenal-jejunal bypass liners
Pre-surgery optimisation — using GLP-1 drugs to reduce liver size before surgery, improving safety
Post-surgery support — nutritional monitoring, psychological support, and weight regain prevention strategies
Adolescent bariatric surgery — outcomes and safety in younger populations

Digital Health and Lifestyle Trials

The NHS has invested significantly in digital weight management, creating a pipeline of trials:

NHS Digital Weight Management Programme — evaluating the effectiveness of app-based coaching, remote monitoring, and digital CBT for weight loss
AI-powered personalisation — using machine learning to personalise diet and exercise recommendations based on individual metabolic profiles
Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) — using glucose data to optimise food choices for weight management in non-diabetic populations
Wearable technology — smartwatches and fitness trackers with advanced metabolic monitoring capabilities
Virtual reality exercise — gamified exercise programmes that increase adherence

Obesity with Comorbidities

Many obesity trials target specific comorbid conditions:

Obesity with type 2 diabetes — the original indication for GLP-1 drugs, with ongoing trials on diabetes remission and cardiovascular protection
Obesity with heart failure — the STEP-HF programme showing that semaglutide improves heart failure outcomes in patients with obesity
MASLD/MASH (fatty liver disease) — GLP-1 and dual agonists being tested for their effects on liver inflammation and fibrosis
Obstructive sleep apnoea — weight loss as a treatment strategy, with dedicated trials measuring apnoea improvement
PCOS — weight management trials specifically in women with polycystic ovary syndrome
Osteoarthritis — weight loss reducing joint pain, with trials measuring both weight and functional outcomes

Who Can Participate?

Obesity trial eligibility typically requires:

BMI ≥30 (or ≥27 with weight-related comorbidities for some trials)
Age 18–75 (some adolescent trials accept ages 12–17)
Documented weight history — many trials require evidence of failed weight loss attempts
No recent use of GLP-1 agonists (varies — some trials accept prior users)
Willingness to follow dietary and exercise guidance as part of the trial protocol
For comorbidity trials: documented diagnosis of the relevant condition

💡 High Demand — Act Quickly

Obesity trials, particularly those testing new GLP-1 drugs, fill up fast. If you see a trial that interests you, contact the study team promptly. Many sites maintain waiting lists. Having your BMI documented by your GP and a record of previous weight management attempts will speed up the screening process.

UK Trial Centres

Major UK obesity trial centres include:

London — Imperial College Healthcare, UCLH, King's College Hospital, St Thomas'
Manchester — Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Salford Royal
Leeds — Leeds Teaching Hospitals
Birmingham — University Hospitals Birmingham
Glasgow — Queen Elizabeth University Hospital
Edinburgh — Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Cambridge — Addenbrooke's Hospital
Bristol — North Bristol NHS Trust
Newcastle — Royal Victoria Infirmary
Southampton — University Hospital Southampton

How to Find Your Match

Our Smart Matcher can help you find obesity and weight management trials based on your BMI, comorbidities, and previous treatment history. It takes about 2 minutes to complete.

Find Weight Loss Trials For You

Our Smart Matcher uses your BMI, health conditions, and treatment history to find the most relevant clinical trials.

Find My Matching Trials → Browse All Obesity Trials