'For those who have insurance coverage, you'll be able to ascertain insurance coverage in short order,' which can be challenging for many medical offices to handle and has been a major roadblock for accessing medications, Foster said. Sequence, which launched in late 2021, had about $25 million in annual revenue from approximately 24,000 members as of last month. It offers an automated preapproval process to help patients get coverage for weight-loss medications. WeightWatchers will acquire Sequence for a total of $132 million in a deal scheduled to be finalized this spring, according to a joint news release from the two companies. 'Lifestyle (change) is very important but it's not going to help people keep the weight off and that's the key,' said Apovian, who serves on the scientific advisory board of Novo Nordisk, which makes one of the new drugs. 'Kudos to them for doing this,' said Apovian, who co-directs the Center for Weight Management and Wellness at Brigham and Women's Hospital.Ī new class of drugs has been shown to help people shed 15% to 20% of their excess weight, the kind of weight loss only possible before with bariatric surgery. Caroline Apovian said she's skeptical weight loss can be well managed without an in-person physical exam, but praised the move into medication. 'We decided this was one that was worth incorporating.' 'As a brand leader, we have a responsibility to … look at recent advances in the science and treatment of obesity and think about if and how they fit in our WeightWatchers' ecosystem,' Foster said. If eligible, Sequence's technology will speed the process of applying for insurance coverage for the drugs. The details of precisely how the medical care will be integrated into the behavioral health system have yet to worked out, said Gary Foster, WeightWatchers' chief scientific officer.īut after the deal closes this spring, WeightWatchers' members will get the option to request a telehealth visit to discuss medication. The company is purchasing a year-old telehealth startup called Sequence, which will give patrons the option to request anti-obesity medication along with their monthly membership. WeightWatchers – for more than 60 years the standard bearer of diet and exercise programs for weight loss – is getting into the medication business.

Sequencher company