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Freiburg University Medical Center becomes project partner in the German Center for Diabetes Research / First study investigates drug to prevent weight gain caused by psychotropic drugs

Since the beginning of 2025, the Department of Endocrinology and Diabetology at the Department of Internal Medicine II at the Freiburg University Medical Center has been part of the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD). The aim of the partnership is to strengthen clinical and practical diabetes research and develop new therapeutic approaches. The first joint project is investigating whether incretin co-agonists can help prevent weight gain caused by psychotropic drugs. These active ingredients, which are also used in the so-called "weight loss injection" to treat obesity, influence the blood sugar and hormone balance and could be used specifically to prevent unwanted weight gain in psychiatric patients. The study is being funded with around 400,000 euros.

German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD)

The DZD is one of the German Centers for Health Research and is dedicated to the development of innovative strategies for the prevention, early detection and treatment of diabetes. It networks leading research institutions from basic science, epidemiology, healthcare research, clinical practice, data management and bioinformatics in order to develop new therapeutic approaches and accelerate their implementation in clinical practice. The aim is to improve patients' quality of life and reduce diabetes-related complications.

"We are delighted about the recognition of our scientific expertise in the field of clinical and translational diabetes research by the DZD," says Prof. Dr. Jochen Seufert, Head of the Department of Endocrinology and Diabetology at the Department of Internal Medicine II at the Freiburg University Medical Center. "The partnership enables us to further develop our research in a targeted manner and to advance new therapeutic approaches in a strong network."

Research as part of a new partnership

The first joint research project within the new partnership will investigate whether incretin co-agonists can prevent weight gain caused by psychotropic drugs. "The necessary drug therapy for mental illnesses can lead to unwanted weight gain, which impairs physical health and can jeopardize the success of therapy," says study leader PD Dr. Katharina Laubner, senior physician in the Diabetes Outpatient Clinic of the Department of Internal Medicine II at the Freiburg University Medical Center. "With incretin co-agonists, we may have found a very effective strategy to counteract this risk and improve overall therapy."

Incretin co-agonists are active substances that were originally developed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and are now also used to treat obesity. They mimic the effect of the body's own hormones, which are involved in the regulation of blood sugar levels and the feeling of satiety. An important effect of these drugs is the increased release of insulin when food is consumed, while at the same time reducing the feeling of hunger, which can have a positive effect on body weight.