RethinkX coined the term Health Optimizer Therapies, or HOTs, to describe this disruption because we needed a versatile, catch-all term to cover the wide range of drugs that will fit into this category. HOTs work by optimizing health rather than treating disease, so the term defines the category by its purpose rather than by any specific mechanism molecule, or target. GLP-1s are just one example. The category also already includes myostatin and activin blocking drugs for muscle gain, and will eventually encompass drugs targeting bone density, immune resilience, cognitive performance, skin health, and other biological systems. GLP-1s happened to arrive first and happen to be generating the headlines right now, but framing the entire disruption around them would be limiting.
GLP-1s themselves have gone through four generations in two decades, each more effective and better tolerated than the last, and the pipeline of next-generation multi-agonists continues to advance rapidly (think tirzepatide, retatrutide and others). Myostatin and activin blockers are now entering the market. AI-powered drug discovery is compressing development timelines from years to months. New drugs targeting entirely different biological pathways are emerging continuously. Describing this moving landscape by the name of its first entrant would quickly become outdated and misleading.
Explore the evidence...
HOTs is a category, and GLP-1s are just one subset of it. The category is defined by purpose (optimizing health rather than treating disease) not by any specific mechanism, molecule, or target. This distinction matters because it shapes how investors, policymakers, and industry leaders should think about the scale and direction of the disruption.
The HOT framing also does important conceptual work beyond just naming. It signals a shift in what medicine is for with profound implications for how healthcare systems, insurers, employers, and governments should prepare for and respond to this disruption.
We are entering a new era of healthcare based on a categorically different kind of medicine whose purpose is not just to save us from illness, but to help us be the best version of ourselves.
The next generation of HOTs will trigger a multi-trillion-dollar global disruption, affecting dozens of industries across multiple sectors, driving a radical global improvement in health and wellness encompassing at least 1 billion people worldwide before 2040.
Optimizing well with advanced HOTs will soon become as important as eating well with nutritious foods. Nations, industries, and individuals that recognize this early and act decisively will be best positioned to capture the extraordinary benefits of this transformation.
The information provided in this FAQ is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. The content regarding GLP-1 receptor agonists (or any other medical treatments) should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment options. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here. The authors and publishers of this FAQ and related report make no representation or warranty, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability, or completeness of any information presented. Reliance on any information provided here is solely at your own risk.
