Joint with: Cardiometabolism in Health and Disease
Obesity Therapeutics: Unlocking Benefits and Minimizing Side Effects
Jan 26–29, 2026 | Keystone Resort, Keystone, CO, United States
Scientific Organizers:
Lora K. Heisler, James Trevaskis, Michael A Cowley, and Matthias H. Tschöp
Livestream
In Person
On Demand
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Jan 26–29, 2026 | Keystone Resort, Keystone, CO, United States
Scientific Organizers: Lora K. Heisler, James Trevaskis, Michael A Cowley, and Matthias H. Tschöp
Lora K. Heisler, PhD
Rowett Institute, University of Aberdeen
Lora K. Heisler, Ph.D., is Director of Research at the Rowett Institute, University of Aberdeen, Scotland. She uses a combination of in vivo approaches to define mechanisms of action of obesity medication targets to identify more effective treatments with fewer side effects. Importantly, her discoveries have shown efficacy in patients. Her fundamental career contributions to the obesity field have been acknowledged by Outstanding Scientific Achievement medals/prizes and regular invitations to give Keynote talks. She has been elected to the Scotland’s National Academy, the Royal Society of Edinburgh and serves on Keystone Symposia’s SAB.
James Trevaskis, PhD
Eli Lilly
James L. Trevaskis, Ph.D., is Associate Vice President, in the Diabetes, Obesity and Complications therapy area of Eli Lilly, leading an obesity-focused discovery research team. He has worked previously at several major pharmaceutical companies in the areas of obesity, diabetes and associated metabolic disorders. His research has enabled the development and clinical testing of several drug candidates. He has published widely on the benefit of combination therapies for metabolic diseases including several in the GLP-1 class of drugs. He has organized many smaller meetings and internal symposia for Eli Lilly.
Michael A Cowley
Monash University
Michael A. Cowley, Ph.D., is a Professor and Head of the Department of Physiology at Monash University. His work has mapped the neural circuits in the brain that sense nutrients and fat, to control appetite and body weight. His current research focuses on developing novel therapies in Type 1 Diabetes. He founded Orexigen Therapeutics, which has led to the approval of his invention, Contrave/Mysimba, for weight loss in many countries. Dr. Cowley is highly involved in organizing and participating in various conferences, notably the Dialogue on Obesity event at Monash University which brought together experts to discuss obesity-related research and solutions.
Matthias H. Tschöp, MD
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU)
Matthias H. Tschöp, M.D., is the chief executive officer of the Helmholtz Munich and Alexander von Humboldt Professor at the Technical University of Munich. His research has unraveled fundamental gut-brain signals to discover medicines to normalize body weight effectively and safely in patients struggling with obesity and its consequences such as type 2 diabetes. He has received multiple awards for his research and has been elected to many professional societies. Dr. Tschöp is an experienced meeting organizer including with several past Keystone Symposia conferences and multiple EMBO/EMBL workshops and summits.
Available Formats:
Supported by:
Livestream
In Person
On Demand
***Meeting program subject to change.
Available Formats: = Livestream = In Person = On DemandMonday, January 26, 2026
Fundraising
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Registration
4:00–8:00 PM
Longs Peak Foyer
Welcome Mixer Sponsored by Lilly
6:00–8:00 PM
Longs Peak Foyer
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Breakfast
7:00–8:00 AM
Quandary Peak
Welcome Remarks (Joint)
8:00–8:10 AM
Longs/Grays Peaks
Keynote Address (Joint)
8:10–9:00 AM
Longs/Grays Peaks
* Lora K. Heisler, Rowett Institute, University of Aberdeen
Session Chair
Session Chair
Richard D DiMarchi, Indiana University
The Chemical Evolution of Peptides To Transform Human Health
The Chemical Evolution of Peptides To Transform Human Health
Beyond Weight Loss: New Directions for Obesity Therapeutics (Joint)
9:00–11:30 AM
Longs/Grays Peaks
* Daniel P Kelly, University of Pennsylvania
Session Chair
Session Chair
* Morris J Birnbaum, University of Pennsylvania
Session Chair
Session Chair
Rachel J. Roth Flach, Valo Health
Using Human Data & Machine Learning Techniques to Identify Heart Failure Phenogroups & Application to New Target Discovery & Validation
Using Human Data & Machine Learning Techniques to Identify Heart Failure Phenogroups & Application to New Target Discovery & Validation
Susan Quaggin, Northwestern University
A United Vision for Kidney and Cardiovascular Disease Treatment
A United Vision for Kidney and Cardiovascular Disease Treatment
James Trevaskis, Eli Lilly
Incretins for MASH Treatment
Incretins for MASH Treatment
Riccardo Panella, Aalborg University
Short Talk: From Fat Selectivity to Rebound Prevention: RES-010 As A Novel Backbone for Obesity Therapy
Short Talk: From Fat Selectivity to Rebound Prevention: RES-010 As A Novel Backbone for Obesity Therapy
Taha Bugra Gungul, University of Virginia
Short Talk: A Brain Reward Circuit Inhibited By Next-Generation Weight Loss Drugs
Short Talk: A Brain Reward Circuit Inhibited By Next-Generation Weight Loss Drugs
Coffee Break
9:30–9:50 AM
Longs Peak Foyer
Meet the Editors (Joint)
11:30–12:30 PM
Longs/Grays Peaks
Suze Annigje de Bruijn, PLOS
Scientific Editor
Scientific Editor
Senegal Carty, Springer Nature
Associate Editor
Associate Editor
* Rong Tian, University of Washington
Yevgeniya Nusinovich, AAAS/Science
Senior Editor
Senior Editor
Lora K. Heisler, Rowett Institute, University of Aberdeen
Professor & Editor at Molecular Metabolism
Professor & Editor at Molecular Metabolism
Brandon J Berry, AAAS
Associate Editor
Associate Editor
Andrew Jobbins, Cell Press
Editor-in-Chief
Editor-in-Chief
Poster Setup
12:30–1:00 PM
Quandary Peak
On Own for Lunch
12:30–2:30 PM
Poster Viewing
1:00–10:00 PM
Quandary Peak
Symposia Spotlight 1: Emerging Therapies, Lifestyle Interventions and AI Approaches (Joint)
2:30–4:30 PM
Longs/Grays Peaks
* Murielle M Véniant-Ellison, Amgen Inc.
Session Chair
Session Chair
Jiyuan Piao, University of Alberta
Discovery of Snail Molecule in Hibernating Snails that Rewires Fuel Sensing and Induces Quiescence in Mouse Fibroblasts and Cardioprotective Hibernation in Mice Hearts
Discovery of Snail Molecule in Hibernating Snails that Rewires Fuel Sensing and Induces Quiescence in Mouse Fibroblasts and Cardioprotective Hibernation in Mice Hearts
Pieterjan Dierickx, Max Planck for Heart & Lung Research
Metabolic Regulation of Circadian Rhythmicity in the Aging Female Heart
Metabolic Regulation of Circadian Rhythmicity in the Aging Female Heart
Ashutosh Tomar, University Heidelberg
Disruption of CaMKII–HDAC4 Axis Protects Against Maladaptive Metabolic Remodelling in Metabolic HFpEF
Disruption of CaMKII–HDAC4 Axis Protects Against Maladaptive Metabolic Remodelling in Metabolic HFpEF
Trace Thome, University of Pennsylvania
SGLT2 Inhibitors Activate PANK1 in Human Hearts Augmenting Cardiac Metabolism
SGLT2 Inhibitors Activate PANK1 in Human Hearts Augmenting Cardiac Metabolism
Michelle To, Svensson Lab, Stanford University
A BRINP3-Derived Peptide Drives Non-Aversive Appetite Suppression via PVH Circuits
A BRINP3-Derived Peptide Drives Non-Aversive Appetite Suppression via PVH Circuits
Richard G. Kibbey, Yale University
Small Molecule Activators of Pyruvate Kinase: Preserving Muscle while Treating Obesity
Small Molecule Activators of Pyruvate Kinase: Preserving Muscle while Treating Obesity
Joanne Hsieh, Gordian Biotechnology
Parallelized In Vivo Screening in Visceral Adipocytes to Identify Novel Targets for Safe Weight Loss
Parallelized In Vivo Screening in Visceral Adipocytes to Identify Novel Targets for Safe Weight Loss
Coffee Available
4:30–5:00 PM
Longs Peak Foyer
Late Breaking Research on Obesity Development
5:00–7:00 PM
Longs Peak
* Margaret Stefater-Richards, Boston Children's Hospital
Session Chair
Session Chair
* Roger J Davis, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School
Session Chair
Session Chair
Ana Paula Arruda, University of California, Berkeley
Metabolic Adaptations to Nutritional Fluctuations
Metabolic Adaptations to Nutritional Fluctuations
Jason Gill, University of Glasgow
Ethnic Differences in the Development and Management of Obesity
Ethnic Differences in the Development and Management of Obesity
Randy J. Seeley, University of Michigan
Body Weight Set Point
Body Weight Set Point
Anton Pekcec, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG
Short Talk: Expanding the Horizon of Obesity Therapy: Tissue-Specific Mitochondrial Uncoupling as a Novel Strategy Beyond GLP-1
Short Talk: Expanding the Horizon of Obesity Therapy: Tissue-Specific Mitochondrial Uncoupling as a Novel Strategy Beyond GLP-1
Monika Sharma, OrsoBio Inc
Short Talk: The Protonophore TLC-1180 Drives Weight Loss, Alone and Combined with Semaglutide, in Obese Non-human Primates
Short Talk: The Protonophore TLC-1180 Drives Weight Loss, Alone and Combined with Semaglutide, in Obese Non-human Primates
Social Hour with Dinner
7:00–8:00 PM
Quandary Peak
Poster Session 1
7:30–10:00 PM
Quandary Peak
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Breakfast
7:00–8:00 AM
Quandary Peak
CNS Mechanisms of Action of Weight Loss
8:00–11:00 AM
Longs Peak
* Natalie J Michael, Université Laval
Session Chair
Session Chair
* Aurelio Franco Garcia, University of Aberdeen
Session Chair
Session Chair
Michael A Cowley, Monash University
Hypothalamic Neurocircuits that Mediate Drug Actions
Hypothalamic Neurocircuits that Mediate Drug Actions
Lora K. Heisler, Rowett Institute, University of Aberdeen
Brain GPCR Targets and Circuits Controlling Food Intake
Brain GPCR Targets and Circuits Controlling Food Intake
Bei B. Zhang, Novo Nordisk
Modulation of GLP-1 and Amylin Receptors for Weight Management and Metabolic Health
Modulation of GLP-1 and Amylin Receptors for Weight Management and Metabolic Health
Giuseppe D'Agostino, University of Manchester
Appetite and Body Weight Control via Caudal Brainstem Circuits
Appetite and Body Weight Control via Caudal Brainstem Circuits
Allison Duensing, University of Michigan
Short Talk: Distinct Anatomy and Functions for Transcriptionally Defined Subsets of Agrp/Npy Neuron-Targeting Hypothalamic LepRb-Glp1r Neurons
Short Talk: Distinct Anatomy and Functions for Transcriptionally Defined Subsets of Agrp/Npy Neuron-Targeting Hypothalamic LepRb-Glp1r Neurons
Wonhee Cho, UT Southwestern Medical Center
Short Talk: Neuroplasticity of Arcuate POMC and NPY/AgRP Neurons Following Bariatric Surgery
Short Talk: Neuroplasticity of Arcuate POMC and NPY/AgRP Neurons Following Bariatric Surgery
Coffee Break
9:00–9:20 AM
Longs Peak Foyer
Poster Setup
11:00–1:00 PM
Quandary Peak
On Own for Lunch
11:00–1:30 PM
Poster Viewing
1:00–10:00 PM
Quandary Peak
Career Roundtable (Joint)
1:30–2:45 PM
Longs Peak
Allison Ostriker, Novo Nordisk
Senior Scientist II
Senior Scientist II
Amber Mueller, Cell Press
Scientific Editor
Scientific Editor
Pieterjan Dierickx, Max Planck for Heart & Lung Research
Independent Group Leader
Independent Group Leader
Coffee Available
4:30–5:00 PM
Longs Peak Foyer
Leveraging Enteroendocrine Cell Secretion
5:00–7:00 PM
Longs Peak
* Peter R. Shepherd, University of Auckland
Session Chair
Session Chair
* Alison N McRae, Mayo Clinic
Session Chair
Session Chair
Alice E Adriaenssens, AstraZeneca
Remote Presenter: GIPR Neurocircuits in the Brainstem and Hypothalamus
Remote Presenter: GIPR Neurocircuits in the Brainstem and Hypothalamus
Shirly Pinto, Kallyope
Gut Enteroendocrine Cell Activation Using a Combination of GPR119 and GPR40 Agonists Results in Synergistic Hormone Secretion in Mice and Humans
Gut Enteroendocrine Cell Activation Using a Combination of GPR119 and GPR40 Agonists Results in Synergistic Hormone Secretion in Mice and Humans
Kevin G Murphy, Imperial College London
Dietary Drivers of Gut Hormone Release
Dietary Drivers of Gut Hormone Release
Shefaa AlAsfoor, Boston Children's Hospital
Short Talk: Role of the Intestinal LXR–PPAR⍺ Axis to Mediate RYGB-Induced Intestinal Adaptation
Short Talk: Role of the Intestinal LXR–PPAR⍺ Axis to Mediate RYGB-Induced Intestinal Adaptation
Aanya Hirdaramani, Imperial College London
Short Talk: Developing a Fluorescent Reporter System for Scalable Detection of PYY Production from Enteroendocrine Cells in Real Time with Single-Event Resolution
Short Talk: Developing a Fluorescent Reporter System for Scalable Detection of PYY Production from Enteroendocrine Cells in Real Time with Single-Event Resolution
Social Hour with Dinner
7:00–8:00 PM
Quandary Peak
Poster Session 2
7:30–10:00 PM
Quandary Peak
Thursday, January 29, 2026
Breakfast
7:00–8:00 AM
Quandary Peak
Emerging Therapies for Obesity and Cardiometabolic Diseases (Joint)
8:00–11:00 AM
Longs/Grays Peaks
* William C. Sessa, Yale School of Medicine
Session Chair
Session Chair
* Brian Finan, Eli Lilly
Session Chair
Session Chair
Matthias H. Tschöp, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU)
Dual and Triple Co-Agonists: From Discovery to Best-in-Class
Dual and Triple Co-Agonists: From Discovery to Best-in-Class
Kirsten Raun, Novo Nordisk A/S
Amylin Analogues: Expanding the Territory – Opportunity Meets Complexity
Amylin Analogues: Expanding the Territory – Opportunity Meets Complexity
Thomas A Lutz, University of Zürich
Amylin Physiology and its Therapeutic Potential to Treat Metabolic Diseases
Amylin Physiology and its Therapeutic Potential to Treat Metabolic Diseases
Murielle M Véniant-Ellison, Amgen Inc.
GIPR Antagonism Provides a Unique Pharmacological Path to Metabolic Benefit
GIPR Antagonism Provides a Unique Pharmacological Path to Metabolic Benefit
Shan Parikh, Yale University
Short Talk: TLC-1180 Reverses Obesity, Improves Myocardial Insulin Sensitivity, and Enhances Cardiac Fitness in a Murine Model of Diet-Induced Obesity
Short Talk: TLC-1180 Reverses Obesity, Improves Myocardial Insulin Sensitivity, and Enhances Cardiac Fitness in a Murine Model of Diet-Induced Obesity
Timo D Müller, Helmholtz Munich
Short Talk: An Unimolecular GIPR:GLP-1R:PPAR𝛼,𝛾,𝛿 Quintuple Agonist Eliminates Obesity and Insulin Resistance in Mice
Short Talk: An Unimolecular GIPR:GLP-1R:PPAR𝛼,𝛾,𝛿 Quintuple Agonist Eliminates Obesity and Insulin Resistance in Mice
Coffee Break
9:00–9:20 AM
Longs Peak Foyer
Award Recipient Acknowledgement
9:20–9:25 AM
Longs/Grays Peaks
On Own for Lunch
11:00–2:30 PM
Panel: Perspectives: Personalized Medicine & Patient-Centered Strategies (Joint)
1:00–2:00 PM
Longs/Grays Peaks
* Tiffany M Powell-Wiley, NHLBI, National Institutes of Health
Panel Moderator
Panel Moderator
Kevin Grove, Versant Ventures
Panelist
Panelist
Roger D. Cone, University of Michigan
Panelist
Panelist
Symposia Spotlight 2: Leveraging Genetics
2:30–4:30 PM
Longs Peak
* Shamina M Rangwala, Flagship Pioneering
Session Chair
Session Chair
Giles Yeo, University of Cambridge
HINDMAP - A Spatio-Cellular Map of the Human Dorsal Vagal Complex
HINDMAP - A Spatio-Cellular Map of the Human Dorsal Vagal Complex
Antje Körner, Helmholtz Institute for Metabolic, Obesity and Vascular Research (HI-MAG) at Helmholtz Munich and Leipzig University
Treatment Opportunities for a Novel Human Monogenic Agouti-Like Obesity Trait
Treatment Opportunities for a Novel Human Monogenic Agouti-Like Obesity Trait
David Lloyd, Insitro
A GWAS of a ML-derived BAT Phenotype and Validation in Human Adipocytes And Mice
A GWAS of a ML-derived BAT Phenotype and Validation in Human Adipocytes And Mice
Cory Schwartz, iBio, Inc
Neutralization of Activin E Promotes Fat-Selective Weight Loss and Prevents Weight Regain in Preclinical Models of Obesity
Neutralization of Activin E Promotes Fat-Selective Weight Loss and Prevents Weight Regain in Preclinical Models of Obesity
Kevin Manuel Mendez Acevedo, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge
Molecular Characterization of Human Variants in GPR75 Identified in Thin People
Molecular Characterization of Human Variants in GPR75 Identified in Thin People
Alasdair Leeson-Payne, University of Aberdeen
Gpr75 Knockout Mice are Protected from Age-Induced Weight Gain
Gpr75 Knockout Mice are Protected from Age-Induced Weight Gain
Prasad Kotikalapudi, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Blockade of Beneficial Activin E Signaling by GDF3 Enhances Adipose Lipolysis and Aggravates MASH
Blockade of Beneficial Activin E Signaling by GDF3 Enhances Adipose Lipolysis and Aggravates MASH
Coffee Available
4:30–5:00 PM
Longs Peak Foyer
Preservation of Muscle Mass and Function During Weight Loss
5:00–6:45 PM
Longs Peak
* David Baker, Fable Therapeutics
Session Chair
Session Chair
Philip Larsen, Sixpeaks Bio AG
Remote Presentation: Preservation of Skeletal Muscle is a Key to Healthy Weight Loss
Remote Presentation: Preservation of Skeletal Muscle is a Key to Healthy Weight Loss
Mark W. Sleeman, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals
Strategies to Prevent Muscle Loss
Strategies to Prevent Muscle Loss
Ffolliott M Fisher, Keros Therapeutics
Targeting the TGF-β super Family for the Preservation of Muscle Mass and Weight Loss
Targeting the TGF-β super Family for the Preservation of Muscle Mass and Weight Loss
Patricia Baumgarten, Pennington Biomedical Research Center
Short Talk: Acylated Urocortin 2 Peptide Therapy Rescues Skeletal Muscle Mass and Fitness by Enhancing Protein Turnover in a Mouse Model of Sarcopenic Obesity
Short Talk: Acylated Urocortin 2 Peptide Therapy Rescues Skeletal Muscle Mass and Fitness by Enhancing Protein Turnover in a Mouse Model of Sarcopenic Obesity
Meeting Wrap-Up: Outcomes and Future Directions (Organizers)
6:45–7:00 PM
Longs Peak
* Lora K. Heisler, Rowett Institute, University of Aberdeen
Matthias H. Tschöp, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU)
James Trevaskis, Eli Lilly
Michael A Cowley, Monash University
Social Hour with Dinner
7:00–8:00 PM
Quandary Peak
Cash Bar
8:00–9:00 PM
Quandary Peak
Entertainment
8:00–9:00 PM
Longs Peak
Friday, January 30, 2026
Departure
12:00–11:59 PM
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