Although a number of appetite suppressants are now in clinical trials, the search for new anti-obesity drug targets continues. Recent advances in basic science have unveiled 2 new receptors that may prove to have potential in this field. They are the neuropeptide Y (NPY)-5 receptor and the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR)-&ggr;. These possible new approaches to the treatment of obesity were discussed at the 3rd IBC USA conference on ‘Obesity - Advances in Understanding and Treatment’ [San Diego, US; September 1996].