[Good Brain 2026] "Beyond Weight Loss, Transforming the Brain"...Will GLP-1 Change Humanity's Future?

Expanding Beyond Appetite Suppression:
Exploring the Potential of GLP-1 in Treating Addiction, Neuroinflammation, and Brain Disorders

From Basic Neuroscience Research to Drug Development, Regulatory Processes, and K-Bio Strategic Alliances

The "2026 Good Brain Conference," hosted by The Asia Business Daily, took place on the morning of September 3, 2026, at the Westin Chosun Hotel Seoul in Sogong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul. Held under the theme "Brain Revolution: The Future of Humanity Changed by GLP-1," the event convened domestic and international experts from fields such as brain science, new drug development, the bioindustry, and regulatory policy. Participants explored the emerging trend of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) being reevaluated as a substance that directly regulates neural networks in the brain beyond its role as an anti-obesity drug. They also discussed the academic basis and industrial challenges for expanding its application to the treatment of neurological disorders.

Jang Beomsik, CEO of The Asia Business Daily, and other key attendees are posing for a commemorative photo before the '2026 Good Brain Conference' held on the 3rd at the Westin Chosun Hotel Seoul in Jung-gu, Seoul, under the theme "Brain Revolution: The Future of Humanity Changed by GLP-1." From the front row on the left, moving counterclockwise: Namhee Lee, Director of the Gyeongin Regional Food and Drug Administration; Yeonhong Noh, Chairman of the Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Manufacturers Association; Beomsik Jang, CEO of The Asia Business Daily; Jiping Pang, Professor at Rutgers University School of Medicine, USA; Hyungjin Choi, Professor at Seoul National University College of Medicine; Pilsoo Kim, Editor-in-Chief of The Asia Business Daily; Inyoung Choi, Head of Future Growth Division at Hanmi Pharmaceutical; Sangbaek Ko, President of the Korea Health Industry Development Institute. Photo by Jinhyung Kang

GLP-1 is widely known as a hormone used in the treatment of diabetes and obesity. However, in recent years, attention has shifted to its role as a regulator of neural circuits and metabolic systems in the brain, extending beyond its effects on the digestive system or pancreas. With ongoing studies suggesting that GLP-1 can influence appetite and satiety, as well as the brain's reward and addiction circuits, neuroinflammation, and synaptic function, the therapeutic scope of GLP-1 is increasingly being considered for cardiovascular, renal, and liver diseases, as well as neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease, in addition to metabolic diseases such as obesity and diabetes.

The central issue at this conference was how directly GLP-1 can regulate neural activity in the brain. In particular, there was a focused discussion on the mechanisms by which GLP-1 crosses the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and acts on neural circuits, and the potential for developing central nervous system (CNS) therapies utilizing these mechanisms. However, GLP-1-based drugs are not universally effective for all neurological disorders. Clinical trials targeting Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease have yielded results that diverged from expectations. As a result, devising precision medicine strategies—namely, identifying which patients, at which stage, and through which methods can receive the greatest therapeutic benefit—has become a crucial challenge.

Yeonhong Noh, Chairman of the Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Manufacturers Association, who attended the conference, stated, "Today's discussions are significant, as new therapeutic technologies, including GLP-1, are showing promise in the prevention and treatment of degenerative brain diseases, such as dementia, which are pressing societal challenges we must address together." Sangbaek Ko, President of the Korea Health Industry Development Institute, emphasized, "We will do our utmost to support research and development (R&D) and foster a global collaborative ecosystem to enable domestic biotech companies and researchers to secure unrivaled competitiveness in the global markets for new brain drugs and metabolic disease treatments."

Beomsik Jang, CEO of The Asia Business Daily and host of the event, remarked, "In the face of intense competition from global Big Pharma, our capacity to safeguard health sovereignty lies in forming a ‘practical alliance’ that unites core technologies, capital, and regulatory innovation. I hope today’s conference will serve as a meaningful occasion to bring together voices from academia, industry, and regulatory authorities."

Speakers at the conference included Jiping Pang, Professor at Rutgers University School of Medicine, who delivered the keynote lecture; Inyoung Choi, Head of Future Growth Division (Executive Vice President) at Hanmi Pharmaceutical; Hyungjin Choi, Professor of Neurology and Anatomy at Seoul National University Hospital; Sohee Kim, Head of Cardiovascular & Neuropharmacological Products Division at the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety; Minyi Choi, Professor of Brain and Cognitive Sciences at KAIST; and Yunjung Park, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at NIBEC.

The "2026 Good Brain Conference," hosted by The Asia Business Daily, opened on September 3 at the Western Chosun Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul. The conference is held under the theme "Brain Revolution: The Future of Humanity Changed by GLP-1." 2026.9.3 Photo by Hyunmin Kim

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.