January 26, 2026. At the much-awaited medical symposium spearheaded by Zuellig Pharma, a leading healthcare solutions company in Asia, a new modality for diabetes and obesity was discussed by three internationally recognized global experts Professors Luc Van Gaal, David Cummings, and Roger Chen, to the Philippine medical community, providing them a timely deep dive into the breakthrough treatment known as dual GIP & GLP-1 receptor agonist.
The Twice as BOLD symposium (Breakthroughs in Obesity, Leading Edge in Diabetes) was held last January 26, 2026 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City and welcomed doctors and medical practitioners from across the country – numbering over 2500 – underscoring how obesity and diabetes have become urgent public health concerns5.
Latest data available shows that the adult prevalence of diabetes is at 7.5%, corresponding to 4.7 million adults1, with >87% are either overweight or obese.2 Moreover, 39.8% of adult Filipinos are suffering from obesity while 17.3% are overweight2,4; simply put, 6 out of 10 adults are burdened by weight problems2,4 and this puts them at 5x the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes,3,4 and at 2x the risk of developing coronary heart disease.6
Advancements in Type 2 Diabetes Care: The Power of Dual GIP & GLP-1 agonism and the SURPASS trials
Prof. Cummings highlighted the complementary actions of the two incretin hormones which showed that dual agonism of GIP and GLP-1 addresses multiple pathophysiologic defects in Type 2 diabetes through central and peripheral mechanisms9. These were further supported by Prof. Chen’s discussion of the SURPASS clinical trials of tirzepatide across the spectrum of Type 2 Diabetes. In particular, SURPASS-2 demonstrated that tirzepatide significantly outperformed once-weekly semaglutide (a GLP-1 receptor agonist) in adults with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled by metformin.7
The Wait is Over: From trials to triumphs, as presented by the experts
In a presentation that engaged the whole symposium, a patient avatar named Julia who has type 2 diabetes interacted with the experts, sharing her struggles and point of view as a patient.
In two separate sessions, global and Filipino experts and thought leaders uncovered breakthroughs that reshape treatments for obesity and diabetes.
Prof. David Cummings of the University of Washington and Director of the VA Puget weight management clinic, and Prof. Roger Chen, a highly experienced endocrinologist and academic from the University of Sydney, presented the key milestones of SURPASS-2, which ushered in a session of shared insights and learnings chaired by Dr. Bien Matawaran with Dr. Dante Morales providing a cardiovascular perspective.
Surpass-27 and Julia in Focus: On the power of GIP and the role of tirzepatide
A mirroring of Julia’s case with that of the real-life patients of the two experts were held up for study; the consensus was that all of them who had type 2 diabetes indications achieved better outcomes with tirzepatide.
Surmount-58 and Sandee: On chronic weight management as a success indicator
In the lecture of Professor Van Gaal, globally renowned expert in Diabetology, Obesity, and Metabolic Disorders, the SURMOUNT-58 clinical trials showed that patients achieved greater weight loss and waist circumference reduction with tirzepatide than semaglutide.8
With the results of the landmark study as his backdrop, Prof. Van Gaal’s shared expertise on the clinical application of the new treatment deepened the attendees’ understanding of the clinical efficacy of tirzepatide for obesity. A robust exchange of insights ensued in the session chaired by Dr. Nemencio Nicodemus Jr. with Dr. Maria Adelaida Iboleon-Dy expounding vital points relevant to cardiologists.
As the sessions progressed, Andrei, the avatar of a patient living with obesity, introduced Sandee, a real patient burdened by weight issues. Obesity has severely limited her life, causing her to face physical challenges that impact her work. Moreover, her condition has compounded her fears of developing other diseases, and she dreads who will take care of her aging mother if obesity overcomes her.
Parallels were drawn between her case and that of the experts’ patients which showed better patient outcomes with tirzepatide.
Scientific Progress Produces Breakthrough Treatments
Ninia Torres, General Manager of Zuellig Pharma, noted that advances in science and medicine are reshaping metabolic care and improving patient outcomes. She added, “As science and medicine advances, metabolic care that provides better patient outcomes follows. The research and development that led to the availability of the world’s first FDA-approved dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist marks a transformative chapter in metabolic care, giving patients much needed access to new treatment options beyond older therapies.”
Forging a path forward, collaborative action against obesity and diabetes
Medical societies also made a strong showing, following the signing of a historic partnership to unite efforts against obesity and diabetes10. These included the Philippine Society for the Study of Overweight and Obesity (PASOO), the Philippine College of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism (PCEDM), the Philippine Heart Association (PHA), the Institute for Studies on Diabetes Foundation Inc. (ISDFI), Diabetes Philippines (DP), and the Alliance of Clinical Endocrinologists Philippines Foundation, Inc. (ACE).
Advancing Evidence-Based Care in the Philippines
The forum concluded with a consensus that the Philippines’ metabolic care must align with global scientific advances to elevate standards of care for Filipino patients.
Led and supported by Zuellig Pharma, TWICE AS BOLD is part of its continuing medical education program that aims to make world class medical knowledge and technologies accessible to patients and doctors in the country.
Zuellig Pharma reinforces its mission to advance science, improve lives, and stand alongside patients in every stage of their health journey—from the first diagnosis to every small victory that follows. By ensuring access to meaningful innovations and milestone medicines like tirzepatide, Zuellig Pharma helps ensure a future where more patients can experience genuine transformation and renewed quality of life.
