Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) awarded The Johns Hopkins University a $766,545 Project Grant on July 10, 2026, under the Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research program (CFDA 93.847) to conduct a comprehensive real-world evidence study examining cost offsets and healthcare spending associated with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1) therapy. The research leverages Truveta, a national electronic health record database containing records for over 100 million patients linked with insurance claims data, to evaluate long-term economic outcomes for patients initiating GLP-1 treatment for obesity and related metabolic conditions. The study will deliver three primary analytical products: (1) quantification of long-term cost offsets and medication expenses following GLP-1 initiation, (2) segmented cost analyses across patient subgroups stratified by body mass index (BMI), age, and comorbidities, and (3) estimates of GLP-1 breakeven pricing and the timeline required to achieve budget neutrality.

This research directly addresses a critical gap in clinical evidence, as existing randomized controlled trials have not established definitive links between GLP-1-induced weight loss and reduced healthcare expenditures or provided sufficient long-term follow-up data. The findings will generate actionable evidence for insurers and policymakers to inform future coverage decisions and reimbursement strategies for GLP-1 therapies. The award will be performed in Baltimore, Maryland, with a completion date of March 31, 2031.