"Will obesity drugs cause muscle loss?" Samsung tracks patients with Galaxy Watch

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[The Financial News] Samsung Electronics is entering global research on obesity treatments. The company plans to conduct detailed studies on obesity drugs that can cause side effects such as weight regain, gastrointestinal problems and reduced muscle mass. It aims to use health data collected through wearable devices such as the Galaxy Watch8 to help establish timely treatment plans.
According to industry sources on the 28th, Samsung Electronics is working with Massachusetts General Hospital, affiliated with Harvard Medical School, on a joint study that will track and analyze physical changes in patients taking GLP-1 receptor agonists using the Galaxy Watch.
The move comes as GLP-1 receptor agonists have become more widely used in weight management and chronic disease treatment, making it increasingly important to monitor not only weight but also muscle mass and physical activity during treatment.
The study will explore whether everyday data from Galaxy Watch and Samsung Health, including body composition, activity levels and heart rate, can help manage muscle loss in patients receiving GLP-1 treatment.
The two sides have long been conducting digital health research using Galaxy Watch and Samsung Health, a comprehensive health platform, including studies on advanced glycation end products, or AGEs.
The Massachusetts General Hospital Diabetes Center first proposed the joint study after taking note of the body composition measurement features in Samsung Electronics' wearable devices.
Galaxy Watch8, equipped with a bioactive sensor that can measure a range of health indicators such as body composition, heart rate, blood pressure and electrocardiograms, will be used in the study.
The research will involve 100 adult men and women starting weight-loss drug treatment, divided into two groups.
The experimental group will wear Galaxy Watch8 and receive body composition monitoring, physical activity tracking and personalized exercise guidance.
Researchers plan to compare their progress with that of a standard group that follows only general GLP-1 treatment guidelines.
To ensure accuracy, the team will closely track changes in both groups using DXA scans, the standard tool for body composition analysis.
Researchers expect to determine whether the Galaxy Watch8 group shows a meaningful improvement in preserving muscle mass compared with the standard group.
Samsung Electronics said it will continue research to help Galaxy Watch support patients in managing their daily physical condition, building healthy habits, achieving successful drug treatment and improving overall health.
mkchang@fnnews.com Jang Min-kwon Reporter