Shantanu Gaur, MD, founded Allurion in 2009 while he was a student at Boston-based Harvard Medical School. Now, as CEO of the Natick, Mass.-based company, he’s leading efforts to redefine obesity care through nonsurgical innovation, digital health and global accessibility.
Allurion has developed a procedure-less gastric balloon — the Allurion Smart Capsule — and a connected digital care platform to help patients achieve long-term, healthy weight loss. The company’s program has treated more than 200,000 patients across 80 countries.
Becker’s connected with Dr. Gaur to learn more about his leadership and perspective on the future of obesity treatment.
Editor’s note: Responses were lightly edited for length and clarity.
Question: Obesity treatment is evolving rapidly — from surgery to GLP-1s to new technologies. What do you see as the most significant changes on the horizon, and where should health systems focus their energy?
Dr. Shantanu Gaur: We’re in the middle of a fundamental shift in how we think about obesity. GLP-1s and other non-surgical treatments have moved to the front line of care worldwide, but the biggest change is in mindset. The conversation is moving from “losing weight” to “managing risk.”
Health systems are starting to build integrated metabolic programs that combine nutrition, psychology, digital follow-up and relapse prevention. That’s a smarter, more sustainable model.
The focus should be on metabolically healthy weight loss — losing weight, keeping it off and maintaining muscle mass. That balance comes from combining therapeutic interventions with long-term lifestyle change, which is ultimately what patients want and what drives better outcomes.
Q: GLP-1 medications have transformed the conversation around obesity, but concerns remain around access, cost and long-term use. How do you see their role fitting into a broader treatment ecosystem?
SG: GLP-1s are a powerful tool, but they’re not for everyone — and they work best when combined with other treatments. Many patients discontinue use before they see results because of cost or side effects, and since they’re meant for lifelong use, that’s a big challenge.
We’ve seen strong results by pairing low-dose GLP-1s with the Allurion Smart Capsule. In our studies, patients lost 20% of their body weight and increased muscle mass by 15% in just eight months. That’s metabolically healthy weight loss — and because our program emphasizes behavior change, the results are more durable.
Combination therapy also makes economic sense. By reducing cycles of weight regain and retreatment, it lowers costs for both patients and health systems. Sustainable, accessible, effective — that’s the future of obesity care.
Q: Non-surgical interventions are gaining traction worldwide. What role will balloons, digital platforms and AI-driven tools play in reshaping obesity care?
SG: Non-surgical tools are going to play a huge role. Our capsule is procedure-less — no surgery, anesthesia or removal — and it helps patients feel full sooner. When combined with low-dose GLP-1s, you’re addressing both hunger and fullness, mimicking bariatric surgery but without the invasiveness.
But the capsule is only part of it. Our digital suite gives patients continuous, real-time support. Iris, our AI-powered coach, analyzes behavioral and clinical data so patients get 24/7 guidance while clinicians can adjust care instantly.
AI won’t replace clinicians; it enhances them. The best outcomes come when digital tools and human care work hand in hand, offering both precision and personal support.
Q: Your studies show weight loss results that rival other non-surgical treatments, with durability over time. What do you think drives that long-term success?
SG: It comes down to three things: speed, durability and simplicity.
First, the results come fast — within four months, patients lose an average of 15% of their body weight. Second, the results last: one year after the device passes naturally, patients maintain about 95% of that loss. That durability comes from real-time monitoring and behavior coaching that build confidence and accountability.
Finally, it’s simple — no surgery, no anesthesia and no removal. Safe, accessible interventions that are supported by data can make the first step toward better health easier for patients.
Q: The Allurion balloon isn’t yet FDA-approved. What steps are you taking toward U.S. availability, and how do you plan to scale in a crowded obesity care market?
SG: We’re being very deliberate about our U.S. entry. The FDA has accepted our PMA application — a major milestone — and we’ve partnered with distributors who have strong GLP-1 networks. That positions us to deliver combination care at scale from day one.
We know this model works. In markets where it’s active, clinics using this approach are growing 20% year over year. In our latest study, two consecutive capsule treatments produced an average of 22% total body weight loss — comparable to bariatric surgery or high-dose GLP-1s.
Yes, it’s a crowded market. But safe, non-invasive and digitally integrated solutions that deliver lasting, metabolically healthy results have a clear role to play in improving access to care.
