The institute is part of Helmholtz Munich and was founded in 2018 in cooperation with Leipzig University and Leipzig University Hospital. At HI-MAG on Leipzig's medical campus, nearly 100 employees are researching the molecular mechanisms that lead to obesity and related diseases. The aim is to provide faster care for those affected through new, precise therapies. HI-MAG is one of six partners in the DFG Cluster of Excellence “Leipzig Center of Metabolism” (LeiCeM) at the University of Leipzig. The institute is headed by Prof. Dr. Matthias Blüher, Professor of Clinical Obesity Research at the University of Leipzig and Senior Physician at Leipzig University Hospital.