Novartis not joining the 'frenzy' of weight loss drugs, CEO says

Core Viewpoint - Novartis will not participate in the competitive weight loss drug market, focusing instead on unique treatment areas related to obesity [1][2] Group 1: Company Strategy - The CEO of Novartis, Vas Narasimhan, emphasized that the company prefers to avoid the "frenzy" surrounding weight loss drugs and aims to establish a "unique position" in the market [1] - Novartis is conducting research on treatments that address the secondary effects of weight loss rather than competing directly with established players like Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly [1][2] Group 2: Market Context - The current obesity drug market is dominated by two major players, making it challenging for new entrants to find a foothold [2] - Future entrants in the obesity drug market need to innovate by addressing issues such as nausea and vomiting or by enabling weight loss while preserving muscle mass [2]