Current and Future Drug Targets in Weight Management Fig. 17 Chemical structure of resveratrol and 3 first generation small-molecule SIRT1 activators. 1813 CONCLUSIONS The rising obesity figures and associated health complica- tions present unmet medical needs for safe and effective new drug therapies. As illustrated in this review, a remarkably wide diversity of targets and compounds is presently being investigated. Despite the failures of the past, for example with rimonabant and its analogues, industry is prepared to take considerable risks. Remarkably, combinations of existing CNS drugs (topiramate, zonisa- Fig. 18 Chemical structure of diazoxide. mide, phentermine and bupropion) are among the most advanced in development. In general and in spite of the risks for side effects, CNS targets, including 5-HT, H3 and Y-receptors, continue to be considered as promising. This is amongst others due to the fact that for the time being the largest effects are expected from central intervention. Compounds acting on peripheral targets might offer advantages in terms of side effects. Apart from the GLP-1 analogues liraglutide and exenatide and the combination of pramlintide with metraleptin, peptide drugs mimicking satiety hormones have not met the expectations so far. However, better oral, intranasal, and transdermal formula- tions could help to enhance the efficacy of such approaches. Among the targets within the gut, those that stimulate the release of GLP-1 seem to be the most promising at the moment. Of particular interest is the GPR119 receptor. As also described in this review, the endocannabinoid system as target may see a revival during the coming years. Being an alternative to what is currently the only worldwide approved