Allurion Announces Expansion of AI Weight Loss Coach to Support Patients on GLP-1s

Rhea-AI Summary

Allurion Technologies (NYSE: ALUR) has expanded its AI-powered weight loss coach, Coach Iris, to support patients on GLP-1s and other anti-obesity medications. This enhancement provides 24/7 personalized coaching on treatment duration, side effects, and lifestyle modifications. In addition, the company announced its first commercial agreements for its Virtual Care Suite (VCS) in the U.S.

The VCS integrates remote patient monitoring, predictive analytics, telehealth, and care team collaboration, and is designed for healthcare providers offering various weight loss therapies. Medical professionals like Dr. Christopher McGowan and Dr. Alexander Shapsis have adopted VCS, praising its ability to deliver personalized care and improve patient engagement.

According to Blue Cross Blue Shield, a substantial portion of patients discontinue GLP-1s prematurely, underscoring the need for better patient management. An Allurion study found that the VCS improved patient accountability, practice efficiency, and engagement.

Positive

• Expansion of AI-powered Coach Iris to support GLP-1 patients.
• Commercial agreements for the Virtual Care Suite (VCS) in the U.S.
• 24/7 personalized coaching on treatment duration, side effects, and lifestyle modifications.
• Integration of remote patient monitoring, predictive analytics, telehealth, and care team collaboration in VCS.
• Adoption of VCS by notable practitioners like Dr. Christopher McGowan and Dr. Alexander Shapsis.
• Enhanced patient care through personalized treatment plans and continuous engagement.
• Allurion study shows 87% of providers reported increased patient accountability with VCS.
• High patient engagement and practice efficiency reported by 88% of providers using VCS.

Negative

• 58% of patients discontinue GLP-1s before achieving clinically meaningful health benefits, indicating challenges in patient adherence.
• 30% of patients stop GLP-1 medications within the first month, pointing to a need for better initial patient support.

Insights

Medical Research Analyst

The expansion of Allurion's AI-powered weight loss coach, Coach Iris, to support patients on GLP-1s is a noteworthy development in the weight loss and obesity management field. GLP-1s (Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 receptor agonists) are a class of medications that have shown efficacy in weight management, but adherence to the treatment remains a challenge. The integration of AI in providing 24/7 personalized coaching addresses a critical gap in continuous patient support.

Given that 58% of patients discontinue GLP-1s before achieving a clinically meaningful benefit, the use of AI to provide tailored guidance and holistic care can potentially improve adherence and outcomes. It's important to consider that this technology could help reduce the cognitive load on healthcare providers, allowing them to focus on more complex cases while the AI handles routine patient interactions.

The deployment of such technology aligns with the growing trend of personalized medicine, where treatment plans are tailored to individual patient needs. This can lead to improved patient satisfaction and potentially better health outcomes. The impact of AI-driven tools on long-term patient adherence and clinical outcomes will be essential metrics to monitor moving forward.

Financial Analyst

The announcement of Allurion's first commercial agreements for its Virtual Care Suite (VCS) in the United States signifies a significant revenue stream for the company. Securing commercial agreements indicates market acceptance and the potential for scalable growth.

Financially, the expansion of AI-supported services in healthcare taps into the burgeoning digital health market, which is projected to grow significantly over the next decade. The combination of AI with telehealth, remote patient monitoring and predictive analytics creates a comprehensive solution that can attract various stakeholders in the healthcare ecosystem.

Investors should consider the long-term revenue potential from subscription or usage fees associated with the VCS. This aligns with the trend towards recurring revenue models, which are often more predictable and stable. However, it’s important to keep an eye on the operational costs associated with scaling this technology and the competitive landscape, as other companies may develop similar solutions.

Market Research Analyst

The introduction of Coach Iris in the Virtual Care Suite is timely, given the increasing demand for weight loss solutions. The weight loss market in the United States is experiencing robust growth, driven by rising obesity rates and consumer demand for effective weight management solutions.

Allurion's focus on integrating AI to enhance patient engagement and accountability directly addresses the pain points in the current weight loss market. The ability of Coach Iris to offer personalized plans, stress management techniques and motivational insights is likely to resonate well with both patients and healthcare providers.

From a market perspective, the success of Coach Iris will depend on user adoption rates and the quality of outcomes achieved. If the AI-powered coach can significantly improve patient adherence to treatments like GLP-1s, it can set Allurion apart from competitors. Market penetration and customer satisfaction metrics will be key indicators to watch in the coming quarters.

Company also announces first commercial agreements for the Virtual Care Suite in the United States

NATICK, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Allurion Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: ALUR), a company dedicated to ending obesity, today announced the expansion of its Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered weight loss coach, Coach Iris, to support patients prescribed GLP-1s and other anti-obesity medications and the first commercial agreements for its Virtual Care Suite (VCS) in the United States. With this update to Coach Iris, patients now have access to 24/7 personalized coaching and guidance specific to GLP-1s and other anti-obesity medications, such as treatment duration, side effects, and consequences of stopping their treatment. They can also engage with Coach Iris for tailored meal plans, recipes, exercise routines, stress management techniques, and motivational insights.

Coach Iris is part of the VCS, a dynamic weight-loss management suite powered by AI and featuring remote patient monitoring, predictive analytics, telehealth, and care team collaboration. The VCS is available to healthcare professionals offering GLP-1 and other anti-obesity medication therapy, bariatric surgery, and weight loss devices.

“I have seen firsthand how difficult it is for providers to offer best-in-class care for patients living with obesity. It demands close follow-up and lifestyle modification coaching at scale for sustained results,” said Dr. Shantanu Gaur, Founder and CEO of Allurion. “We believe VCS and, specifically, Coach Iris, can help ease this burden for them. We are excited to now work with our U.S. clinical partners to help them achieve better, more sustainable weight loss outcomes for their patients.”

Dr. Christopher McGowan, a triple board-certified physician in internal medicine, gastroenterology, and obesity medicine based in North Carolina and founder of True You Weight Loss, chose to integrate VCS and Coach Iris into his treatment algorithm. “As part of a clinical team of weight loss experts that provides minimally invasive and non-surgical weight loss options, we have a diverse patient population that requires personalized care and attention,” said Dr. McGowan. “Allurion’s Virtual Care Suite equips us with digital capabilities to provide even deeper, personalized care for our patients.”

According to a recent study by Blue Cross Blue Shield, 58% of patients discontinue use of GLP-1s before reaching a clinically meaningful health benefit, and 30% of patients discontinued use of the medications within the first month. Those who saw their doctor more often were more likely to continue the treatment, emphasizing the need for greater care management.

Dr. Alexander Shapsis, a triple board-certified physician and President of Atlantic Gastroenterology and EndoSlim Clinic based in New York, chose VCS, in part, to support his GLP-1 patients. “GLP-1s and other anti-obesity treatments demonstrate the most effective results when they are integrated into a holistic weight loss program,” said Dr. Shapsis. “This requires seamless communication between the provider and patients. We chose Allurion’s VCS and its remote patient monitoring technology because the platform was built specifically for weight loss clinics and properly supports the needs of my staff and patients.”

In an Allurion study, 87% of providers who used the VCS reported increased patient accountability, 88% reported increased efficiencies in their practice, and 82% reported increased patient engagement. “We are committed to adopting innovative technologies that enhance patient care. We immediately saw the immense value of Coach Iris and how it will help our patients stay engaged throughout their weight loss journey,” said Paul Barros, Co-Founder and CEO of Pivot Weight Loss. “This multi-purposed, digital tool works in tandem with our bariatric-trained dieticians, ensuring a blend of expert guidance and AI technology.”

“Weight loss clinics in the United States are experiencing explosive growth due to high patient demand for a number of therapies, including GLP-1s,” said Brian Conyer, VP of Digital Health at Allurion. “As a result, we believe there is a significant opportunity for our digital products and AI-powered technology to help clinics and providers meet the demand, maintain positive patient outcomes, and continue to grow.”

About Allurion

Allurion is dedicated to ending obesity. The Allurion Program is a weight loss platform that features the Allurion Gastric Balloon, the world’s first and only swallowable, procedure-less intragastric balloon for weight loss, and offers access to the Allurion Virtual Care Suite including the Allurion Mobile App for consumers, Allurion Insights for health care providers featuring the Coach Iris AI Platform, and the Allurion Connected Scale. The Allurion Virtual Care Suite is also available to providers separately from the Allurion Program to help customize, monitor and manage weight loss therapy for patients regardless of their treatment plan: gastric balloon, surgical, medical or nutritional. The Allurion Gastric Balloon is an investigational device in the United States.

For more information about Allurion and the Allurion Virtual Care Suite, please visit www.allurion.com.

Allurion is a trademark of Allurion Technologies, Inc. in the United States and countries around the world.

About True You Weight Loss

True You Weight Loss is the nation’s first and only physician-founded medical practice exclusively focused on providing non-surgical, state-of-the-art weight loss procedures and support. Dr. Lauren Donnangelo, Dr. Daniel Maselli, and Dr. Christopher McGowan are among the few physicians in the nation who are triple board-certified in internal medicine, gastroenterology, and obesity medicine, and leaders in the area of endobariatrics.

About Atlantic Gastroenterology

Atlantic Gastroenterology is a state-of-the-art clinic located in the New York area. The practice specializes in all aspects of gastroenterology, hepato-billiary diseases, and hepatology.

About Pivot Weight Loss

Pivot Weight Loss provides a modernized bariatric surgery journey to help patients achieve weight loss goals by combining expert surgeons, technology, and a friendly support team trained to encourage and educate, not judge.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. federal and state securities laws. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions and include statements regarding the ability of the Allurion Program, including the VCS, to improve patient and clinical outcomes, including outcome improvements over time, the impact of a behavior change coaching skills course, and the impact of gLP-1s on the Allurion Program. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that reflect the current beliefs and assumptions of Allurion’s management based on information currently available to them and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future results or developments to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this communication, including but not limited to (i) the ability of Allurion to obtain and maintain regulatory approvals for and successfully commercialize the Allurion Program, including the Allurion Balloon and the VCS, (ii) the timing of, and results from, our clinical studies and trials, (iii) the evolution of the markets in which Allurion competes, (iv) the ability of Allurion to defend its intellectual property, (v) the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia and Ukraine war, and the Israel-Hamas conflict on Allurion’s business, (vi) Allurion’s expectations regarding its market opportunities, including those for the VCS platform, and (vii) the risk of economic downturns and a changing regulatory landscape in the highly competitive industry in which Allurion operates. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the “Risk Factors” section of Allurion’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 26, 2024 (as subsequently amended) and other documents filed by Allurion from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and Allurion assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Allurion does not give any assurance that it will achieve its expectations.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240530248268/en/

Global Media:

Cedric Damour

PR Manager

+33 7 84 21 02 20

cdamour@allurion.com

Investors:

Mike Cavanaugh, Investor Relations

ICR Westwicke

(617) 877-9641

mike.cavanaugh@westwicke.com

Source: Allurion Technologies, Inc.

FAQ

What is the AI-powered Coach Iris by Allurion?

Coach Iris is an AI-powered weight loss coach by Allurion Technologies that provides 24/7 personalized coaching for patients on GLP-1s and other anti-obesity medications.

What are the new features of Coach Iris for GLP-1 patients?

Coach Iris now offers 24/7 personalized coaching on treatment duration, side effects, and lifestyle modifications for patients on GLP-1s.

What is Allurion's Virtual Care Suite (VCS)?

Allurion's Virtual Care Suite (VCS) is an AI-powered weight-loss management suite featuring remote patient monitoring, predictive analytics, telehealth, and care team collaboration.

Who are some healthcare providers using Allurion's VCS?

Healthcare providers such as Dr. Christopher McGowan and Dr. Alexander Shapsis have integrated Allurion's VCS into their practices.

What percentage of providers reported increased patient accountability with Allurion's VCS?

87% of providers reported increased patient accountability with Allurion's VCS in an Allurion study.

What are the patient discontinuation rates for GLP-1s?

According to Blue Cross Blue Shield, 58% of patients discontinue GLP-1s before achieving clinically meaningful health benefits, and 30% stop within the first month.

How does Allurion’s VCS improve patient care?

Allurion’s VCS improves patient care by providing personalized coaching, remote monitoring, and seamless communication between providers and patients.