Bagel Labs Tackles Limitations of Obesity Drugs with AI... Launches Clinical Trial for Muscle-Preserving Weight Loss

by Jang Hyowon

Published 28 Oct.2025 14:14(KST)

From the left, Suhong Park, CEO of Bagel Labs, and Beomjo Oh, Professor of Family Medicine at Seoul Metropolitan Boramae Hospital, are posing for a commemorative photo to mark the launch of the 'GLP-1+AI Treatment Solution Combination Clinical Study.' Provided by Experix

Bagel Labs, a subsidiary of artificial intelligence (AI) solutions company Experix, announced on October 28 that it has officially launched an investigator-initiated clinical study in collaboration with Seoul Metropolitan Boramae Hospital. The study will combine the GLP-1 obesity treatment drug with Bagel Labs' proprietary AI treatment solution, "DEX-1."

This research has drawn significant attention from the industry, as it marks the first clinical attempt to verify the combined effects of GLP-1 drug therapy and an AI-based digital treatment solution. The study was designed to address limitations such as loss of muscle mass and the yo-yo effect that can occur during GLP-1 treatment, and to maximize therapeutic efficacy. According to recently published studies, combining GLP-1 therapy with exercise has been reported to result in approximately three times greater weight loss and about five times greater reduction in waist circumference compared to GLP-1 therapy alone.

Previously, Bagel Labs signed a joint development agreement with Hanmi Pharmaceutical for obesity digital combination therapeutics and is currently carrying out related projects. "DEX-1," which will be used in this study, is an AI treatment solution that provides personalized lifestyle modification (LSM) interventions based on AI technology. It is being developed as a digital therapeutic device (DTx) that systematically manages exercise and diet alongside drug therapy to enhance effectiveness.

The clinical trial will be led by Professor Oh Beomjo of the Family Medicine Department at Boramae Hospital and will enroll 90 obese patients who are newly prescribed a GLP-1 receptor agonist, with the study running for 20 weeks. Participants will be divided into a GLP-1 monotherapy group (control group) and a combination therapy group (test group) using the DEX-1 app. Various indicators such as weight loss rate, changes in body composition, medication adherence, and improvement in quality of life will be comparatively evaluated.

The test group will be provided with a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) and a home body composition analyzer. Based on the collected data, the AI will provide real-time guidance on optimal exercise times and personalized exercise programs. The primary goal is to prevent muscle loss, which is a concern with GLP-1 treatment, and to promote healthy weight loss.

Professor Oh Beomjo, the principal investigator of this clinical study, stated, "Systematic lifestyle management is essential to enhance the effectiveness of GLP-1 therapy and to help patients successfully complete their treatment. This clinical study will be an important milestone in demonstrating how AI-powered treatment solutions can support patients throughout their treatment journey and establish new standards."

A Bagel Labs representative commented, "This joint clinical study, the first since our parent company Experix acquired Bagel Labs, is an optimal project to showcase acquisition synergy and will be the first step in pioneering the new market of 'digital combination therapeutics.' We expect that the combined model of GLP-1 and AI treatment solutions will present a new paradigm in obesity treatment."