Why Obesity Trials Struggle With Eligibility, Not Interest, and How Patiro Helps
Obesity trials rarely lack interest. They lack eligible candidates who can stay the course. A search of ClinicalTrials.gov in November 2026 found more than 1,100 interventional obesity studies actively recruiting, from lifestyle programs to new incretin-based drugs, all drawing on the same patient pool.
Many protocols set BMI ranges, weight stability requirements and exclusions for recent use of weight loss medication. With GLP-1 treatments now widely prescribed, prior or current use has become one of the most common reasons a willing candidate cannot take part. Advertising alone fills the top of the funnel with people who will not pass screening.
Patiro treats that interest as the start of the funnel and qualifies candidates before they reach the site.
Patiro's Expertise in Obesity Clinical Trials
Our pre-screeners check BMI, weight history, current and previous weight loss treatment and the comorbidities that often decide eligibility, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and sleep apnea. We have supported studies in type 2 diabetes and obesity-related indications, and much of that work overlaps with our endocrinology experience.
Retention needs as much planning as recruitment. Weight management trials often run for a year or more, with dietary requirements, injection schedules and frequent visits. We set expectations honestly from the first call, keep contact during screening and help sites with scheduling and visit logistics.
Obesity also carries stigma. Our outreach talks about health and participation, not appearance, and is adapted to each country and language we recruit in.
Why Partner With Patiro for Your Obesity Trial?
Every candidate gets a 1-on-1 pre-screening with our local medical team before referral, so sites spend their time on people with a realistic path to randomization. Sponsors can follow the funnel in real time, and we work full service, as an FSP or on recruitment only. Based on case studies, our approach has cut patient attrition by 65% and recruitment timelines by 40%.
Contact us to discuss how we can help with clinical trial recruitment for your obesity trial.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do You Handle Prior GLP-1 Use in Pre-Screening?
We ask about current and previous weight loss medication early, including timing and dose where the protocol needs it, so candidates excluded by washout rules are filtered out before they reach the site.
Can You Recruit Patients With Obesity and Comorbidities Such as Type 2 Diabetes?
Yes. We pre-screen on the comorbidities each protocol requires or excludes, and we have supported type 2 diabetes studies as well as obesity-related trials.
How Do You Support Retention in Long Weight Management Trials?
We explain the commitment honestly before referral, stay in contact during screening and help with scheduling and logistics, which reduces dropout in long protocols.
Do You Support Device and Lifestyle Studies as Well as Drug Trials?
Yes. Patiro supports trials of medicines, medical devices and procedures, and adapts outreach and pre-screening to the intervention.
How Does Pricing Work?
Patiro offers a pay-per-enrolled-patient model, so sponsors pay for participants who are enrolled rather than for referral volume. That keeps budget risk low and ties our incentives to your enrollment target. Other payment models are available if they suit the study better.
How Fast Can You Start Obesity Patient Recruitment?
It depends on how settled the protocol is, which countries are involved and whether the site plan is final. Once pre-screening criteria and referral pathways are agreed, we can start quickly. We also join studies that are already behind on enrollment, so a late start is not a reason to wait.
