New research from Gelesis highlights ongoing
stigmatization of people with obesity and diabetes
Gelesis (NYSE: GLS), the maker of Plenity for weight management,
presented new findings about the role of language in obesity and
diabetes scientific literature at the American Diabetes
Association’s annual conference. The study sought to understand the
extent to which person-first language, or language that identifies
people as people as individuals first before their diagnosis, is
used in scientific articles. Person-first language (e.g. referring
to a person with diabetes as such, instead of “a diabetic”) is
generally endorsed by several professional societies including the
American Medical Association and American Diabetes Association to
help reduce stigmatization. Yet in practice, the data highlighted
that person-first language was used in fewer than 1% of obesity
articles.
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Person-first language is generally
endorsed by several professional societies including the American
Medical Association and American Diabetes Association to help
reduce stigmatization. Yet in practice, the data highlighted that
person-first language was used in fewer than 1% of obesity
articles. (Photo: Business Wire)
The authors’ final analysis included over 100,000 scholarly
articles for diabetes and obesity published from 2011-2020. The
results showed that while the use of person-first language in
diabetes articles has increased over the past ten years, adoption
has recently slowed. And among obesity-focused articles,
person-first language is generally not used, suggesting a
widespread lack of recognition of its importance within the
scientific community. Progress was minimal: 0.1% of obesity-focused
articles used person-first language in 2011; by 2020, that figure
was 6.6%. Obesity articles were more likely to use person-first
language if the journal had a policy of encouraging the use of such
language. Among diabetes articles, the use of person-first language
increased by 3.1% per year between 2011-2020.
“We know that language and communication are important barriers
in health care and while various entities are becoming more aware
of the problem and ways to fix it, our academic and scientific
literature is not there yet," said Jane K. Dickinson, RN, PhD,
Program Director of the Diabetes Education and Management Program
at Columbia University. “This is perhaps one of the easiest
barriers to better care that we can overcome, which means we need
to use these results as inspiration for change.”
Added Elaine Chiquette, Pharm.D., Gelesis’ Chief Scientific
Officer, “Obesity is a chronic disease that affects millions of
Americans, and we hear time and time again how weight stigma can
impact people, for example by worsening physical and mental health
and discouraging people from seeking care. At Gelesis, we are a
consumer-focused company that aims to deliver new solutions to
people struggling with their weight, including working to eliminate
some of that stigma. That includes improving access to clinically
proven options through our telemedicine endeavors, providing an
evidence-based, affordable solution for weight management. We
believe stigmatization interferes with the success of weight loss
interventions and these findings highlight the need for a call to
action to fight against bias and reframe the weight management
conversation both in research and in practice.”
About Gelesis
Gelesis Holdings Inc. (NYSE: GLS) (“Gelesis”) is a
consumer-centered biotherapeutics company and the maker of
Plenity®, which is inspired by nature and FDA cleared to aid in
weight management. Our first-of-their-kind non-systemic
superabsorbent hydrogels are made entirely from naturally derived
building blocks. They are inspired by the composition and
mechanical properties of raw vegetables, taken by capsule, and act
locally in the digestive system, so people feel satisfied with
smaller portions. Our portfolio includes Plenity® and potential
therapies in development for patients with Type 2 Diabetes,
Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)/Non-alcoholic
Steatohepatitis (NASH), and Functional Constipation. For more
information, visit gelesis.com, or connect with us on Twitter
@GelesisInc.
Plenity® is indicated to aid weight management in adults with
excess weight or obesity, a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25–40 kg/m²,
when used in conjunction with diet and exercise.
Important Safety Information about Plenity
● Patients who are pregnant or are allergic to cellulose, citric
acid, sodium stearyl fumarate, gelatin, or titanium dioxide should
not take Plenity.
● To avoid impact on the absorption of medications:
- For all medications that should be taken with food, take them
after starting a meal.
- For all medications that should be taken without food (on an
empty stomach), continue taking on an empty stomach or as
recommended by your physician.
● The overall incidence of side effects with Plenity was no
different than placebo. The most common side effects were diarrhea,
distended abdomen, infrequent bowel movements, and flatulence.
● Contact a doctor right away if problems occur. If you have a
severe allergic reaction, severe stomach pain, or severe diarrhea,
stop using Plenity until you can speak to your doctor.
Rx Only. For the safe and proper use of Plenity or more
information, talk to a healthcare professional, read the Patient
Instructions for Use, or call 1-844-PLENITY.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements, estimates, targets and projections in this
press release may constitute “forward-looking statements” within
the meaning of the federal securities laws. The words “anticipate,”
“believe,” continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,”
“may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,”
“project,” “should,” “strive,” “would” and similar expressions may
identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words
does not mean that statement is not forward looking.
Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other
statements about future events that are based on current
expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks
and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include, but are not
limited to, statements regarding our or our management team’s
expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding
the future, including those relating to Gelesis’ business
combination with Capstar Special Purpose Acquisition Corp.
(“Capstar”) and its expected benefits, Gelesis’ performance
following the business combination, the competitive environment in
which Gelesis operates, the expected future operating and financial
performance and market opportunities of Gelesis and statements
regarding Gelesis’ expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or
strategies regarding the future. In addition, any statements that
refer to projections, forecasts, or other characterizations of
future events or circumstances, including any underlying
assumptions, are 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 Gelesis 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. Gelesis gives no
assurance that any expectations set forth in this press release
will be achieved. Various risks and uncertainties (some of which
are beyond our control) or other factors could cause actual future
results, performance or events to differ materially from those
described herein. Some of the factors that may impact future
results and performance may include, without limitation: (i) the
size, demand and growth potential of the markets for Plenity® and
Gelesis’ other product candidates and Gelesis’ ability to serve
those markets; (ii) the degree of market acceptance and adoption of
Gelesis’ products; (iii) Gelesis’ ability to develop innovative
products and compete with other companies engaged in the weight
loss industry; (iv) Gelesis’ ability to finance and complete
successfully the commercial launch of Plenity® and its growth
plans, including new possible indications and the clinical data
from ongoing and future studies about liver and other diseases; (v)
failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the business
combination, including as a result of a delay or difficulty in
integrating the businesses of Capstar and Gelesis; (vi) the ability
of Gelesis to issue equity or equity-linked securities or obtain
debt financing in the future; (vii) the outcome of any legal
proceedings instituted against Capstar, Gelesis, or others in
connection with the business combination; (viii) the ability of
Gelesis to maintain its listing on the New York Stock Exchange;
(ix) the risk that the business combination disrupts current plans
and operations of Gelesis as a result of Gelesis being a publicly
listed issuer; (x) the regulatory pathway for Gelesis’ products and
responses from regulators, including the FDA and similar regulators
outside of the United States; (xi) the ability of Gelesis to grow
and manage growth profitably, maintain relationships with customers
and suppliers and retain Gelesis’ management and key employees;
(xii) costs related to the business combination, including costs
associated with the Gelesis being a publicly listed issuer; (xiii)
changes in applicable laws or regulations; (xiv) the possibility
that Gelesis may be adversely affected by other economic, business,
regulatory and/or competitive factors; (xv) Gelesis’ estimates of
expenses and profitability; (xvi) ongoing regulatory requirements,
(xvii) any competing products or technologies that may emerge,
(xviii) the volatility of the telehealth market in general, or
insufficient patient demand; (xix) the ability of Gelesis to defend
its intellectual property and satisfy regulatory requirements; (xx)
the impact of the COVID 19 pandemic on Gelesis’ business; (xxi) the
limited operating history of Gelesis; (xxii) the potential impact
of inflation on our operating expenses and costs of goods; and
(xxiii) other important factors discussed in the “Risk Factors”
section of Gelesis’ most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, and in
other filings that Gelesis makes with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. These filings address other important risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ
materially from those contained in the forward-looking
statements.
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Media & Investor
Relations Katie Sullivan ksullivan@gelesis.com
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