Pharmaceutical companies presented next-generation obesity drug candidates at the American Diabetes Association's Scientific Sessions in New Orleans last week, showcasing pills, less frequent injections, and treatments targeting mechanisms beyond GLP-1. The presentations came as companies seek positions in a market currently dominated by Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, with both leaders having introduced GLP-1 pills earlier this year. The obesity treatment landscape is expanding as millions of Medicare beneficiaries will gain access to weight-loss medications at $50 per month out-of-pocket in the coming weeks.
Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk Showcase GLP-1 Pills Introduced Earlier This Year
Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk presented data on their respective GLP-1 pills at the conference. Novo Nordisk stated that prescriptions of its Wegovy pill reached more than 3 million just five months into the launch. Lilly introduced its small molecule pill Foundayo earlier this year, while the Wegovy pill is an oral peptide.
Structure Therapeutics and AstraZeneca Share Mid-Stage GLP-1 Pill Data
Structure Therapeutics and AstraZeneca each shared mid-stage data from their respective GLP-1 pills at the sessions. These oral drugs, if successful in Phase 3 trials, would likely come to market around 2029, three years behind Lilly's Foundayo. Structure Therapeutics CEO Ray Stevens stated the company is "pushing hard to get into that second position behind orforglipron, now Foundayo."
Pfizer and Amgen Test Monthly or Quarterly Injection Schedules
Pfizer unveiled mid-stage data from a shot it gained through its $10 billion acquisition of Metsera. The drug showed potential to be given monthly, compared to currently available weekly shots. Amgen is testing a different drug that could be given monthly or possibly quarterly. Susan Sweeney, Amgen's executive vice president of obesity and related conditions, said the company sees an advantage in people thinking about treatment as little as four times a year.
Zealand Pharma Presents Amylin-Based Drug with Reduced Nausea
Zealand Pharma presented mid-stage data from a drug called petrelintide, which it's developing with Roche. The experimental shot helped people lose almost 11% of their body weight, less than currently available injections Wegovy and Zepbound. Zealand stated that fewer people taking the drug vomited than those in the placebo group. Zealand CEO Adam Steensberg said patients "will queue up to get access to that new weight loss medication rather than staying on the more cumbersome medicines."
Eli Lilly Reports 28% Weight Loss from Retatrutide Phase 3 Trial
Eli Lilly presented Phase 3 results from its triple agonist retatrutide at the conference. The drug activates the GLP-1, GIP and glucagon receptors. At the highest dose, people lost an average of 28% of their body weight when they took retatrutide and stayed on it as prescribed in the trial. Lilly CEO Dave Ricks stated almost half the people lose more than 30% of their body weight. Lilly is also developing its own amylin analogue called eloralintide that's already in Phase 3 trials.
Analysts Question Whether Market Will Expand Beyond Lilly-Novo Duopoly
Investors are evaluating whether the market will remain a duopoly between Lilly and Novo or whether potential new entrants will become significant players. According to World Health Organization statistics, about 2.5 billion people in the world are considered overweight, and 890 million are considered obese. Goldman Sachs analyst Asad Haider stated "the big question is not the volume, it's really the pricing." Lilly and Novo have cut the price of their weight loss shots over the past year as they compete against one another and compounding pharmacies. Novo Nordisk CEO Mike Doustdar stated the company views obesity as having many distinct conditions requiring different medications, similar to how mental health is now understood.
FAQ
What did pharmaceutical companies present at the ADA Scientific Sessions last week?
Pharmaceutical companies presented next-generation obesity drug candidates at the American Diabetes Association's Scientific Sessions in New Orleans last week. The presentations included GLP-1 pills from Structure Therapeutics and AstraZeneca showing mid-stage data, monthly or quarterly injection schedules from Pfizer and Amgen, and Zealand Pharma's amylin-based drug petrelintide. Eli Lilly presented Phase 3 results from its triple agonist retatrutide showing 28% average weight loss at the highest dose.
How many prescriptions did Novo Nordisk's Wegovy pill reach after launch?
Novo Nordisk stated that prescriptions of its Wegovy pill reached more than 3 million just five months into the launch. The company presented this data at the American Diabetes Association's Scientific Sessions in New Orleans last week alongside Eli Lilly, which introduced its small molecule pill Foundayo earlier this year.
When could Structure Therapeutics and AstraZeneca's GLP-1 pills come to market?
Structure Therapeutics and AstraZeneca's oral GLP-1 drugs, if successful in Phase 3 trials, would likely come to market around 2029. This would be three years behind Eli Lilly, which introduced its small molecule pill Foundayo earlier this year. Structure Therapeutics CEO Ray Stevens stated the company is pushing to get into second position behind Lilly's orforglipron, now called Foundayo.
