Obesity Policy Engagement Network

What Obesity Policy Engagement Network does

The Obesity Policy Engagement Network (OPEN) is a global, non-commercial advocacy network founded in 2018 that operates as a partnership programme initiated and funded by Novo Nordisk A/S. OPEN coordinates national and regional coalitions of policymakers, economists, payers, public health representatives, and patient advocates across 15+ countries to drive system-wide policy recognition of obesity as a chronic disease and to improve access to obesity care. The network is structured into three regional coalitions (OPEN-EU, OPEN Gulf, OPEN Southeast Asia) and multiple national coalitions including OPEN Italy, OPEN Germany, OPEN Spain, OPEN Mexico, OPEN Malaysia (MYOS), and OPEN Singapore, each engaging local stakeholders through parliamentary engagement, public health agency collaboration, and policy advocacy — evidenced by Italy's unanimous parliamentary motion (458/458) on 13 November 2019 and Spain's submission of multiple congressional motions in 2021.

OPEN's core outputs are knowledge products and convening platforms rather than commercial technology. The portfolio includes the One Billion Report (2024), the White Paper on a Strategic System-Wide Approach to Obesity Care (2024), the OPEN-EU Manifesto, COVID-19 and obesity position statements, the 6 Steps to Embed Obesity in Learning Curricula guide, best practice webinars, and a restricted Members' Portal. Founding partners — World Obesity Federation, EASO, The Obesity Society, and Obesity Action Coalition — provide scientific, clinical, and patient-advocacy expertise through a Global Guidance Committee structure, while operational and financial backing comes entirely from Novo Nordisk, which owns, controls, and operates the OPEN website.

The revenue model is non-commercial: OPEN generates no product or service revenue and participates in no pricing structure. Membership access to the Members' Portal is restricted and requires Secretariat approval. The organisation is not a standalone legal entity for investment purposes; it is best characterised as Novo Nordisk's corporate-supported policy advocacy platform, with 101-250 employees and a footprint spanning North America, Europe, Latin America, Oceania, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.

Name

Obesity Policy Engagement Network

Legal name

Obesity Policy Engagement Network

Website

https://obesityopen.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

OPEN is a Novo Nordisk-funded global network of national obesity policy coalitions spanning 15+ countries, convening policymakers, healthcare professionals, and patient advocates to drive recognition of obesity as a chronic disease and improve care access.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

OPEN is a global network of national and regional coalitions that convenes policymakers, healthcare professionals, patient advocates, and public-health representatives to drive obesity policy change. It operates through branded coalitions (OPEN-EU, OPEN Gulf, OPEN Southeast Asia, and national coalitions in Italy, Germany, Spain, Mexico, Malaysia, Singapore, and others) and publishes research, policy documents, and educational resources to support improved obesity care. The network is funded and operated by Novo Nordisk as a partnership programme and does not sell commercial products or services.

Product overview

The Obesity Policy Engagement Network (OPEN) is a sustained global initiative consisting of a platform of national and regional coalitions focused on obesity policy advocacy. The core offering includes research publications (white papers, the One Billion Report), policy documents (manifestos, position papers), educational resources (best practice webinars, learning curricula guides), and a members-only portal for knowledge sharing. The network operates through regional coalitions (OPEN-EU, OPEN Gulf, OPEN Southeast Asia) and national coalitions (OPEN Italy, OPEN Germany, OPEN Spain, OPEN Mexico, OPEN Malaysia/MYOS, OPEN Singapore), each addressing local obesity challenges while contributing to global objectives. The organization was initiated and funded by Novo Nordisk and launched at ObesityWeek 2018.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• OPEN Global: Global network of national coalitions addressing obesity policy and care
• OPEN Gulf
• OPEN-EU
• OPEN Southeast Asia
• MYOS (Malaysia Obesity Society)
• OPEN Italy
• OPEN Singapore
• German Obesity Alliance (DAA)
• OPEN Spain
• OPEN Mexico

Products and services

• OPEN Global Network
• OPEN Members' Portal
• OPEN-EU Coalition
• OPEN Gulf Coalition
• OPEN Southeast Asia Coalition

Quantifiable outcome

• OPEN Italy secured unanimous parliamentary approval (458/458) for a motion recognizing obesity as a chronic disease on 13 November 2019
• +3 more outcomes

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

31 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Malaysia Obesity Society (MYOS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022MYOS (formerly Malaysia OPEN) was established as a formal independent professional organization registered with the Registrar of Society in January 2023. It is the national coalition driving OPEN's objectives in Malaysia, focusing on obesity recognition, HCP awareness, and local research. It extends collaborations with medical societies including the Malaysian Endocrine and Metabolic Society and Malaysian Association for the Study of Obesity.
• Singapore Association for the Study of Obesity (SASO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022SASO is the national coalition driving OPEN's objectives in Singapore. Dr Kwang-Wei Tham, President of SASO and Secretary of AOASO, serves as co-chair of OPEN SEA and Chair of OPEN Singapore. SASO coordinates with the Health Promotion Board and other Singapore institutions on obesity policy.
• Health Promotion Board (Singapore)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Multiple representatives from the Health Promotion Board participate in OPEN Singapore and OPEN SEA, including directors and managers of Physical Activity and Weight Management, contributing to obesity prevention and management initiatives in Singapore.
• Duke-NUS Medical School, National University of SingaporeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Researchers at Duke-NUS Medical School authored a study on the economic burden of excess weight among older adults in Singapore, published as part of OPEN SEA's health economic research initiatives. Dr. Eric Finkelstein, Professor at Duke-NUS, participated in the OPEN Singapore inaugural meeting.
• Universiti Putra MalaysiaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022MYOS collaborates with Universiti Putra Malaysia to develop a local survey research on the prevalence of obesity in school children and school teachers. Prof. Dr. Zubaidah Nor Hanipah and Assoc Prof Dr Barakatun Nisak from UPM are members of MYOS.
• Asia-Oceania Association for the Study of Obesity (AOASO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021AOASO co-chairs OPEN Southeast Asia alongside Dr Kwang-Wei Tham. Brian Oldfield, President of AOASO and Vice-President of World Obesity Federation, serves as OPEN SEA co-chair. AOASO provides regional obesity expertise and helps set the strategic direction for OPEN SEA.
• EASO (European Association for the Study of Obesity)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020EASO is a partner of OPEN-EU, co-hosting the EU coalition and serving as the Expert Secretariat for OPEN-EU activities. EASO leads policy groups aligned to OPEN-EU's four focus areas.
• Active Citizenship Network (ACN)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Active Citizenship Network is a partner of OPEN-EU, contributing to the EU-level coalition focused on cross-border policy engagement on obesity.
• European Cancer Patient Coalition (ECPC)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020European Cancer Patient Coalition is a partner of OPEN-EU, providing the cancer patient's perspective given the link between obesity and cancer.
• European Coalition for People living with Obesity (ECPO)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020ECPO is a partner of OPEN-EU, representing the voice of people living with obesity in European policy discussions.
• European Federation of the Associations of Dietitians (EFAD)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020European Federation of the Associations of Dietitians is a partner of OPEN-EU, contributing nutritional science and dietetic expertise to the EU obesity policy agenda.
• European Regional and Local Health Authorities Network (EUREGHA)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020EUREGHA is a partner of OPEN-EU, representing regional and local health authorities in European obesity policy discussions.
• Global Alliance for Mental Health (GAMIAN)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020GAMIAN is a partner of OPEN-EU, addressing the mental health dimensions of obesity.
• International Diabetes Federation (IDF)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020IDF is a partner of OPEN-EU, given the strong link between obesity and type 2 diabetes, contributing expertise on diabetes policy and care.
• Johnson & JohnsonminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Johnson & Johnson is a partner of OPEN-EU, contributing to the coalition's activities and funding through its Johnson & Johnson GmbH subsidiary in Germany. Oliver Martini, Director Government Affairs & Policy at Johnson & Johnson GmbH, is listed as a member of the German Obesity Alliance.
• Merck GroupminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Merck Group is a partner of OPEN-EU, contributing to the coalition's activities and funding.
• MedtronicminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Medtronic is a partner of OPEN-EU, contributing expertise in medical devices and healthcare solutions to the EU obesity policy agenda.
• Novo NordiskcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019OPEN is a partnership programme initiated and funded by Novo Nordisk. Novo Nordisk provides financial support and operational backing for the OPEN network. The OPEN website is owned, controlled, and operated by Novo Nordisk A/S. Novo Nordisk also participates directly through its country organizations in various national OPEN coalitions (e.g., Novo Nordisk Italy, Novo Nordisk Mexico, Novo Nordisk Pharma GmbH Germany).
• Parliamentary Intergroup on Obesity and Diabetes (Italy)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019OPEN Italy works in partnership with the Parliamentary Intergroup on Obesity and Diabetes. Dr. Chiara Spinato serves as both Director General of Health City Institute and secretary of the Parliamentary Intergroup. This partnership was instrumental in achieving the unanimous parliamentary motion recognizing obesity as a chronic disease in Italy on 13 November 2019.
• German Obesity Alliance (DAA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019The German Obesity Alliance (DAA) is the national coalition for OPEN in Germany, consisting of patient advocates, medical professionals, policy makers, and other stakeholders. DAA is developing a strategy called 'further up the river' to position obesity as a chronic disease and has held expert talks at the German Parliament.
• Gulf Obesity and Metabolic Surgery SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019The Gulf Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society co-hosted the OPEN Gulf inaugural meeting held in Kuwait under the patronage of the Ministry of Health, bringing together obesity expertise from across the GCC region.
• Economist Intelligence UnitminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019The Economist Intelligence Unit co-hosted the OPEN Gulf inaugural meeting, providing economic analysis and data expertise on obesity in the Gulf region.
• Ministry of Health (Kuwait)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019The Ministry of Health in Kuwait provided patronage for the OPEN Gulf inaugural meeting, demonstrating governmental support for the regional obesity coalition.
• Embassy of Denmark in KuwaitminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019The Embassy of Denmark co-hosted the OPEN Gulf inaugural meeting, reflecting the Danish connection through Novo Nordisk's involvement in OPEN.
• World Obesity Federation (WOF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018WOF is a founding partner of OPEN, established alongside EASO, The Obesity Society (US), Obesity Action Coalition (US), and Novo Nordisk. WOF provides global obesity data, expertise, and advocacy frameworks to guide OPEN's policy work. WOF participates in OPEN's Global Guidance Committee and provides input into OPEN's strategic direction.
• European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018EASO is a founding partner of OPEN and serves as the Expert Secretariat for OPEN-EU. EASO leads the OPEN-EU coalition and hosts the secretariat contact for OPEN-EU operations (Jacqueline Bowman Busato). EASO provides scientific expertise on obesity for OPEN's European policy initiatives.
• The Obesity Society (US)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018The Obesity Society is a founding partner of OPEN, contributing expertise on obesity science, clinical practice, and US policy landscape to the global network. The organization participates in the Global Guidance Committee.
• Obesity Action Coalition (US)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Obesity Action Coalition is a founding partner of OPEN, providing the patient perspective and advocacy experience to the global network. The organization contributes to OPEN's Global Guidance Committee and supports patient-centred policy approaches.
• Obesidades (Mexico)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Obesidades is a patient organization and key member of OPEN Mexico, with Dr. Bernardo Rea serving as Patient Representative. The organization contributes the patient perspective to Mexico's obesity policy coalition.
• National Institute of Public Health (Mexico)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018The National Institute of Public Health (INSP) in Mexico participates in OPEN Mexico through Dr. Simon Barquera, Executive Director of the Nutrition and Health Research Center, contributing research and epidemiological expertise on obesity in Mexico.
• Spanish Society for the Study of Obesity (SEEDO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018SEEDO contributes obesity science and clinical expertise to OPEN Spain. Federico Luis Moya, Executive Director of the National Híspalis Bariatric and Obesity Association and member of SEEDO's board, represents the patient perspective in OPEN Spain.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Obesity Policy Coalition (Australia): Australian policy coalition tackling obesity through advocacy and evidence; comparable as a multi-stakeholder obesity policy network operating in a geography where OPEN has presence.

Broad incumbents

• World Health Organization (NCD Department): Sets global non-communicable disease policy frameworks (including obesity), and OPEN's policy outputs reference WHO data and targets directly. Comparable as the highest-level institutional actor shaping obesity policy.

Direct peers

• Obesity Action Coalition: US patient-advocacy organization and OPEN founding partner; comparable as a patient-led obesity policy advocacy group focused on recognition, access, and stigma reduction.
• The Obesity Society: US scientific society dedicated to obesity research and treatment; OPEN founding partner with overlapping focus on translating science into policy and clinical practice change.
• European Coalition for People living with Obesity (ECPO): European patient-led obesity coalition and OPEN-EU partner; comparable in mission to elevate the patient voice in obesity policy, particularly at EU institutions.
• World Obesity Federation: Global non-profit focused on obesity research, policy, and advocacy; a founding partner of OPEN with overlapping mission on obesity policy change. Most directly comparable as a global obesity advocacy organization, though WOF predates OPEN and has a broader research remit.
• European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO): European scientific society that serves as Expert Secretariat for OPEN-EU and is a founding partner of OPEN. Highly comparable in policy advocacy mission across Europe, with overlapping member base of clinicians and researchers.

Emerging players

• Obesity Canada: Canadian obesity advocacy and clinical guideline organization; comparable as a national-level obesity policy and education body working with governments and HCPs on chronic-disease recognition.
• STOP Obesity Alliance (George Washington University): US-based obesity policy alliance of clinicians, policymakers, and industry; comparable in bringing together multi-stakeholder actors to drive obesity policy change, with academic anchoring.

Others

• Novo Nordisk A/S: Pharmaceutical company that initiates and fully funds OPEN; relevant as the corporate sponsor whose commercial obesity franchise (GLP-1 therapies) underwrites OPEN's existence and whose strategic priorities shape OPEN's agenda.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/OPENObesity
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/open-obesity-policy-engagement-network

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Obesity Policy Engagement Network