Contents:

1. Executive Summary - 1. Scope and Methodology -- 1. Scope and Segmentation -- 2. Methodology - 2. Key Findings -- 1. An Overview of the Weightloss Industry -- 2. Noteworthy Technology Developments--Companies -- 3. Noteworthy Technology Developments--Universities 2. Clinical Management of Obesity--Technology Analysis - 1. Obesity--Overview -- 1. Definitions -- 2. Causes and Associated Health Problems - 2. Technology Primer -- 1. Diet Therapy and Lifestyle Changes -- 2. Pharmacotherapy -- 3. Bariatric Surgery -- 4. Medical Devices -- 5. Technology Impact Analysis and Future Trends 3. Technology Adoption Factor Analysis - 1. Pharmacotherapy -- 1. Technology Accelerators -- 2. Technology Roadblocks - 2. Medical Devices -- 1. Technology Accelerators -- 2. Technology Roadblocks - 3. Bariatric Surgeries -- 1. Technology Accelerators -- 2. Technology Roadblocks - 4. Funding Analysis; Collaborations and Mergers -- 1. Companies -- 2. Universities and Government Institutions -- 3. Collaborations and Mergers 4. Advancements in Clinical Management of Obesity - 1. Technology Innovations in Companies--North America -- 1. A Novel Antiobesity Drug Suppresses Appetite through Inhibition of Serotonin Reuptake--USA -- 2. A Novel Appetite Suppressant Selectively Inhibits Cannabinoid Receptors--USA -- 3. A Novel Small Molecule for the Treatment of Obesity--USA -- 4. A Natural Peptide Hormone Suppresses Appetite and Enhances Metabolic Rate--USA -- 5. Ghrelin Receptor Modulators Offer Potential Obesity Treatment Options--Canada -- 6. Neurostimulation Technique to Treat Chronic Obesity--USA -- 7. A Novel Small Molecule Drug to Treat Obesity--USA -- 8. A Unique and Selective Hydroxy Tryptamine Receptor Agonist to Treat Obesity--USA -- 9. A Novel and Selective Hydroxy Tryptamine Receptor Agonist for Obesity Treatment--USA -- 10. A Novel Technology Leads to Apoptosis of Fat Cells--USA -- 11. Adjustable and Reversible Gastric Banding Technique to Treat Morbid Obesity--USA - 2. Technology Innovations in Companies--Europe -- 1. Antiobesity Drug Works by Blocking Fat Absorption--UK -- 2. Potent and Selective Cannabinoid Receptor Antagonists as Novel Antiobesity Agents--UK -- 3. A Novel Single Peptide Drug with a Dual Receptor Agonist Action to Treat Obesity--Denmark -- 4. A Novel Antiobesity Drug Targets Thyroid Hormone Receptors--Sweden -- 5. A Natural Appetite Suppressant from Korean Pine Nuts--Netherlands -- 6. A Unique Gastro Intestinal Lipase Inhibitor Aids Weight Loss--UK -- 7. A Novel Vaccine Treats Obesity by Induction of Ghrelin Specific Antibodies--Switzerland - 3. Technology Innovations in Companies--APAC -- 1. A Novel Peptide-Based Drug to Treat Obesity--Australia -- 2. Potential Obesity Therapies through the Prevention of Adipogenesis--Australia -- 3. A Pan Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Agonist Burns Fat--India -- 4. Cannabinoid Receptor Antagonist Drug Therapy for Obesity and Related Disorders--India -- 5. A Potential Antiobesity Drug Inhibits Alpha-Amylase--India - 4. Technology Innovations in Universities--World -- 1. Hormone Discovery Offers Hope for Obesity Drug--USA -- 2. Stomach Hormone Controls Appetite--UK -- 3. Study Finds Effect of Dietary Calcium on Weightloss--Denmark -- 4. Research Finds Relationship between Metabolism and Appetite Suppression--Australia -- 5. Study Shows the Effect of Second Messenger Molecule on Satiety--UK 5. Patents and Key Contacts - 1. Patents -- 1. US Patents--2006 -- 2. US Patents--2004 to 2005 - 2. Key Contacts -- 1. Company Contacts -- 2. University Contacts 6. Frost and Sullivan 2006 Science and Technology Awards - 1. Excellence in Technology Award -- 1. Award Description -- 2. Award Recipient - 2. Product Innovation Award -- 1. Award Description -- 2. Award Recipient - 3. Excellence in Research Award -- 1. Award Description -- 2. Award Recipient 7. Decision Support Database - 1. Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Expenditure--World -- 1. Total Healthcare Expenditure--World (1996 to 2006) -- 2. Government Healthcare Expenditure--World (1996 to 2006) -- 3. Private Healthcare Expenditure--World (1996 to 2006) -- 4. Pharmaceutical R&D Expenditure--World (1996 to 2006) - 2. Healthcare Infrastructure--World -- 1. No. of Hospitals--World (1996 to 2006) -- 2. No. of Physicians--World (1996 to 2006) -- 3. No. of Pharmacists--World (1996 to 2006) - 3. Pervalence of Obesity-Related Health Risks--World -- 1. Prevalence of Diabetes--World (1996 to 2006) -- 2. Prevalence of Hypertension--World (1996 to 2006) -- 3. Incidence of Stroke--World (1996 to 2006) -- 4. Prevalence of Coronary Heart Disease--World (1996 to 2006)

Summary:

A Slew of Techniques for Weight Reduction to Greatly Aid in Controlling Obesity The increasing prevalence of obesity and its associated health risks such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and stroke have created a crucial need for weight reduction therapies. Although various methods of weight reduction such as diet therapies, physical exercise, and pharmaceutical drugs are available, they do not have uniform effects on obese people. Hence, it is imperative to be aware of the various treatment options and choose the one that is best suited to a person’s genetic makeup and degree of obesity. "Currently, weight-loss trends are witnessing a partial transition from harmful drugs with adverse side effects toward reliable methods such as bariatric surgeries, which give immediate and guaranteed results unlike the long term use of drugs" states the analyst of this research service. Severely obese patients who have failed to lose weight through drugs, diet therapy, and physical exercise typically opt for bariatric surgery. These surgeries ensure weight loss and patients enjoy better quality of life, as well as increased life expectancies. Demand for Effective Anti-obesity Therapies Drives Innovations in the Field "A number of focused molecular drug targets coupled with significant advances in drug discovery technologies are rekindling interest in the efficiency of therapeutic weight-loss drugs," notes the analyst. "As a result, there are several new drugs in the pipeline and numerous clinical trials in progress." Realizing this vast potential of anti-obesity treatments, healthcare companies have begun to invest in the development of innovative therapies in areas such as pharmaceutical drugs, bariatric procedures, and medical devices. Scientists’ efforts are being buoyed by a number of ongoing research activities on anti-obesity therapies all over the world. The increasing use of laproscopy in bariatric surgeries such as the Lap-Band enables surgeons to effortlessly perform a greater number of weight-loss surgeries in a minimally invasive manner. Since bariatric surgery is a well-established modality for long-term weight control in severely obese individuals, researchers in this field are working on improving techniques to develop safer and more effective weight-loss procedures. Apart from this, minimally invasive medical devices such as gastric pace makers, intragastric balloons, and nerve stimulation devices are likely to become popular in future.