Can Weight Watchers shape up in the GLP-1 era?

Episode Description

At one point in time not too long ago, Weight Watchers was the legacy name in weight loss treatment.

Armed with an endorsement from board member Oprah Winfrey, everything was turning up Weight Watchers – until it wasn’t..

Usurped by powerful weight loss drugs manufactured by Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk – along with ascendant telehealth firms like Ro, Hims & Hers, and Noom – Weight Watchers went into significant decline.

Ultimately, even Oprah left the company and donated her shares.

In May 2025, Weight Watchers filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in order to eliminate around $1.5 billion in debt. It emerged from bankruptcy in July and now has its sights set on repositioning itself as a key player in the GLP-1 age.

But what is Weight Watchers’ function in 2026?

This week, managing editor Jack O’Brien is joined by Scott Honken, PharmD, chief commercial officer at Weight Watchers, for an update on the company’s current standing in the GLP-1 landscape, where it’s been and where it’s going.

In lieu of our Trends segment, we have some audio takeouts from Jack’s time at SXSW, featuring leaders from Amgen, Marina Maher Communications and Compass Pathways.