Obesity Drugs, Trump Tariffs & AI: This Week’s Top 5 Stories

Is Roche Becoming a Contender in the Obesity Drug Market?

The Swiss pharmaceutical giant Roche has announced landmark results from its phase two clinical trial of CT-388, a weight-loss drug.

The data reveals that a once-weekly subcutaneous injection of the drug resulted in a statistically significant, placebo-adjusted weight loss of 22.5% at 48 weeks.

This was achieved at the highest tested dose of 24 mg.

Crucially for healthcare and finance executives, the study noted that participants had not yet reached a weight-loss plateau by the end of the trial period, suggesting the potential for greater clinical impact over longer durations.

Your Guide to Bayer’s Latest Product – Strawberries

Bayer has announced the launch of Baya Solara, the first commercial strawberry variety from its De Ruiter brand.

The launch follows Bayer's acquisition of the strawberry assets from UK-based NIAB in 2023.

Bayer says the introduction of the new variety “reinforces Bayer’s commitment to providing innovative solutions to protected culture growers and sets a new standard in soft fruit cultivation”.

It adds: “Strawberries are among the fastest-growing fruit crops, with year-round demand exceeding supply.”

How Will Trump’s WHO Departure Affect the US' Healthcare?

Founded in 1948, the World Health Organization (WHO) is the United Nations agency that connects nations, partners and people to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable, with the aim that everyone, everywhere can attain the highest level of health.

After a year of initiation, On 20 January 2026 the US Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS) announced that it has officially left WHO. 

The withdrawal from WHO is due to “organisation's mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic that arose out of Wuhan, China, its failure to adopt urgently needed reforms and its inability to demonstrate independence from the inappropriate political influence of WHO member states,” says USDHHS in its press release.

How Can AI Platforms Boost Efficiency in Healthcare?

AI platforms are becoming central to healthcare as providers seek faster insight from complex clinical data.

By embedding intelligence into everyday workflows, they help clinicians make better decisions, reduce pressure on overstretched systems and focus more time on patient care.

These AI platforms can be used to manage the complexity and large volumes of data often found in healthcare settings, helping drive efficiency and streamline processes for doctors, nurses and clinicians.

As costs rise and expectations increase, AI platforms are shaping a more resilient healthcare model that is more predictive and personalised than ever before. 

Why Bill Gates & OpenAI Invest in AI Healthcare in Africa

AI systems have advanced far faster than their broad, real-world deployment, creating a growing gap between what is possible and what people actually experience. 

These models have become so capable that they are enabling new kinds of breakthroughs, particularly in healthcare, where the challenge is now turning powerful tools into solutions that work in everyday care. 

Horizon 1000, a new pilot initiative launched by the Gates Foundation and OpenAI, aims to meet this moment by supporting African leadership in deploying AI to strengthen health systems.