UK and Scottish governments partner to fund Scotland CardioMetabolic Impact Study (SCoMIS) as part of wider effort to tackle obesity
The UK government has announced an initial £650,000 for the design of groundbreaking research based in Scotland, looking at the efficacy of weight-loss medicines.
Photo by Diana Polekhina / Unsplash
Between 3,000 and 5,000 people from Scotland’s most deprived communities will be invited to take part in the project, which is called Scotland CardioMetabolic Impact Study (SCoMIS).
Obesity is a leading cause of long-term illnesses such as heart disease and cancer. The hope is that by understanding the effects of weight-loss medicines, this research can help millions of people to live longer and healthier lives, while reducing pressure on health services.
The study aims to uncover the impacts of an incretin-based weight loss medicine called GLP-1. Incretins are natural hormones which control levels of blood sugar and impact on our appetite and sense of being hungry, as well as fast our stomach empties. Incretin-based medicines copy or boost these effects.
To understand the efficacy of such medicines, the new study will look at everything from spotting weight change patterns to detecting and preventing obesity-related complications.
The hope is to gain knowledge that can help guide NHS commissioning and body mass index (BMI) thresholds, to exploit the full benefits of incretin-based treatments and help people living with obesity to regulate their eating habits.
The partners involved in the study also plan to make best use of AI-driven digital technologies to support patient access, engagement and data collection in the study.
The initial tranche of funding has been awarded to a partnership of pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, health tech company IQVIA and academic and clinical leaders at the Universities of Glasgow, Dundee and Edinburgh. They will engage with patients and doctors ahead of the full launch of the multimillion-pound study in 2026.
Funding for the new study was awarded as the result of a competitive, independent peer review process delivered by the Scottish Government’s Chief Scientist Office.
Dr Zubir Ahmed MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department of Health and Social Care, says: ‘As a practicing NHS surgeon and Glasgow MP, I know first-hand the impact of the obesity crisis that plagues Scotland – and the litany of health problems it leads to. The UK government is determined to move the dial on obesity and move our country on from sickness to prevention.
‘More than one in three adults in Scotland’s most deprived areas are living with obesity. The UK government is committed to tackling inequality wherever it finds it in our country. It’s why this landmark UK government investment is targeting help where it’s needed most in Scotland and meeting people where they are and backing helping the NHS services they trust to treat them.
‘The UK government sponsorship of this landmark Scottish SCoMIS study is a live example that our Life Sciences Sector Plan is working in every part of our country – backing British innovation, Scottish jobs and positioning the UK as a global leader in health research.’
Jenni Minto MSP, Minister for Public Health, adds: ‘The Scottish government is proud to be leading the way in tackling obesity through innovation and collaboration. This study places patients and communities at the heart of cutting-edge research into weight-loss medicines, ensuring we build the evidence needed to deliver the greatest benefit to those who need it most.
By developing a robust knowledge base, we can ensure these treatments are used effectively and equitably, helping to reduce health inequalities and improve lives across the country. This is a vital step forward in our commitment to world-class, real-world research that shapes global clinical practice.’
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