The strange-but-true origin of GLP-1s for diabetes

A bite from a Gila monster is said to be like “hot lava coursing through your veins”.¹ This venom might inspire fear, but within it lies the key to saving millions of lives.

In the 1990s, scientists discovered a peptide in the venom of the Gila monster that acts on the same receptor as the human hormone GLP-1, which plays a key role in controlling blood sugar by stimulating insulin release. This discovery led to the development of exenatide, the first GLP-1 receptor agonist, and helped launch a revolutionary class of diabetes and obesity medicines.

GLP-1 medicines have rapidly evolved as essential tools not only to manage Type 2 diabetes but also to aid weight loss by reducing appetite, slowing digestion and increasing feelings of fullness.²

Today, the story continues. As access to GLP-1 medicines improves and their use expands, their potential continues to grow.

To better understand the science behind GLP-1s and how they can impact health if taken as prescribed, we spoke to Matthias Mueller, who leads Innovation and Development for Abbott’s medicines business, solely present in emerging countries.

What potential impact could GLP-1 receptor agonists have in low- and middle-income countries?

Recently, researchers showed that broad use of GLP-1 receptor agonists could save up to 3.1 million lives every year by reducing mortality linked to diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease.³

Diabetes disproportionately affects low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where roughly 80% of individuals with the condition live, often with limited access to treatment.⁴ Additionally, LMICs are witnessing a rapid increase in obesity rates.

GLP-1s could fuel a seismic shift in the ongoing battle against conditions such as type 2 diabetes and obesity on a global scale. In recognition of their growing global importance, the World Health Organization (WHO) updated its WHO essential medicines list in 2025 to include several GLP-1 receptor agonists.⁵

Do you expect the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists to expand worldwide?

As chronic diseases continue to rise worldwide and several GLP-1 medicines near patent expiration, opportunities arise to expand access to these treatments, paving the path towards wider use around the world. 

Broadening access to GLP-1 receptor agonists in LMICs could benefit many people living with diabetes and obesity in the years ahead. There is an exceptional opportunity to improve the course of global health for the better.

Beyond the direct health benefits, we are seeing GLP-1 medicines helping people to change their behaviors too, is that correct? 

Yes, absolutely. GLP-1 medicines influence daily behaviors, encouraging a more holistic approach to health. Many people eat smaller portions and snack less.⁶ We’ve long known that medication and lifestyle changes can work together, but with GLP-1s this link is clearer than ever — exercise, for example, boosts GLP-1 naturally while the medicine enhances endurance.⁷

GLP-1s are also reshaping consumer habits and social attitudes. Households with a GLP-1 user reduce grocery spending by around 5–8%, reflecting healthier choices.⁸ Just as importantly, these treatments help reframe obesity as a medical condition rather than a moral failing, reducing the stigma that so often undermines health.

Abbott is heavily involved in improving adherence to medicines — encouraging people to take the medication that is prescribed to them. How important is that for GLP-1 medicines?

Taking medicines as prescribed is essential for GLP-1s to deliver their full health impact, yet only about 32% of people with obesity and 48% with diabetes stay on treatment after a year.⁹ Medicines can only keep you healthy if you take them, so we need to make it easier for people to stay on track There are tools available that can support people. For example, those who use continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems to manage their diabetes are more likely to adhere to their GLP-1 medicines.¹⁰ Tools like Abbott’s a:care initiative – which marries behavioral science with digital, helping people to adopt healthy habits such as taking their medicines as prescribed – can also help people to take charge of their health.

Ultimately, GLP-1s are an excellent example of how scientific discovery and innovation, sparked by curiosity in an unlikely place, can reshape our approaches to treatment for the most common diseases. With our focus on emerging countries and with a proud history in diabetes and nutrition, Abbott’s solutions can help ensure these advances translate into tangible benefits for more people globally.

Frequently Asked Questions About GLP-1 Medicines

What are GLP-1 receptor agonists?

GLP-1 receptor agonists are medicines that mimic glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), a human hormone that helps control blood sugar by stimulating insulin release. They are used to manage type 2 diabetes and to aid weight loss.

Why is it important to take GLP-1 medicines as prescribed?

GLP-1 medicines can only deliver their full health impact if people take them as prescribed, yet only about 32% of people with obesity and 48% with diabetes stay on treatment after a year. Tools such as continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems and Abbott’s my a:care app can help people stay on track.

How is Abbott helping more people benefit from advances like GLP-1 medicines?

Abbott’s medicines business is solely present in emerging countries and builds on Abbott’s proud history in diabetes and nutrition. Its solutions, including tools that help people take their medicines as prescribed, can help ensure advances such as GLP-1s translate into tangible benefits for more people globally.

References

¹ Brave Wilderness (2015-12-01), Gila Monster BITE!, archived from the original on 2019-01-15, retrieved 2018-09-21
² Moiz A, Filion KB, Tsoukas MA, et al. Mechanisms of GLP-1 Receptor Agonist-Induced Weight Loss: A Review of Central and Peripheral Pathways in Appetite and Energy Regulation. The American Journal of Medicine. 2025.138(6):934-940. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjmed.2025.01.021.
³ Potential Lives Saved Through Widespread Global Availability of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists: A Modeling Study David Brook, Peter A. Singer medRxiv 2024.11.11.24317112; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.11.11.24317112
⁴ Flood D, Seiglie JA, Dunn M, et al. The state of diabetes treatment coverage in 55 low-income and middle-income countries: a cross-sectional study of nationally representative, individual-level data in 680 102 adults. Lancet Healthy Longev. 2021;2(6):e340-e351. doi:10.1016/s2666-7568(21)00089-1
⁵ https://www.who.int/news/item/05-09-2025-who-updates-list-of-essential-medicines-to-include-key-cancer--diabetes-treatments
⁶ Cheney C, Hunter K, Klein M. Impact of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists on Perceived Eating Behaviors in Response to Stimuli. Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes. 2025;18:1411-1418. Published 2025 May 2. doi:10.2147/DMSO.S488806
⁷ Wu L, Zhou M, Li T, et al. GLP-1 regulates exercise endurance and skeletal muscle remodeling via GLP-1R/AMPK pathway, Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Molecular Cell Research. 2022.1869(9):119300. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbamcr.2022.119300.
⁸ Hristakeva, Sylvia and Liaukonyte, Jura and Feler, Leo, The No-Hunger Games: How GLP-1 Medication Adoption is Changing Consumer Food Demand (December 27, 2024). Cornell SC Johnson College of Business Research Paper, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=5073929 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5073929For clarity, the copy of the product is not derived from a biological origin substance, but is instead manufactured using a synthetic peptide version
⁹ Lassen MCH, Johansen ND, Modin D, et al. Adherence to glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist treatment in type 2 diabetes mellitus: A nationwide registry study. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2024;26(11):5239-5250. doi:10.1111/dom.15872
¹⁰ https://www.abbott.com/corpnewsroom/strategy-and-strength/findings-from-our-freestyle-libre-glp-1-analysis.html