They are the most famous drugs since Prozac. Treatments for diabetes and weight loss—Wegovy, Ozempic, Mounjaro, Zepbound— have become a commercial and cultural phenomenon. Get ready to learn some new brand names in 2026, as the next generation of these remarkable drugs arrives. The new versions will be cheaper, more effective and longer lasting, and some will be available in pill form. And with patents on semaglutide (the active ingredient in Wegovy and Ozempic) expiring in several big emerging markets, access to slimming drugs will improve. Look out for more evidence of their unexpected side-benefits, too, from protecting the kidneys and liver to reducing compulsive behaviours to slowing the onset of dementia. 

The surprising power of these drugs is a welcome bit of good news in a turbulent world. It is also one of my ten trends to watch in the coming year highlighted in The World Ahead 2026, our future-gazing annual supplement, which was published this week. Check out the full list, and some other highlights from the edition, to get a head start on what to expect next year.