Eli Lilly's Zepbound causes greater weight loss than Novo Nordisk's Wegovy in head-to-head trial

Core Insights - Eli Lilly's obesity drug Zepbound demonstrated superior weight loss compared to Novo Nordisk's Wegovy in a head-to-head clinical trial [1][5] - Zepbound led to an average weight loss of 20.2% (approximately 50 pounds) over 72 weeks, while Wegovy resulted in a 13.7% weight loss (about 33 pounds) in the same timeframe [2][4] - The trial showed a 47% higher relative weight reduction with Zepbound compared to Wegovy, with over 31% of Zepbound users losing at least a quarter of their body weight, compared to about 16% for Wegovy [3][4] Clinical Trial Details - The trial involved 751 patients who were randomly assigned to receive the maximum dose of either Zepbound or Wegovy, specifically targeting obese or overweight individuals with at least one weight-related medical condition [5] - Zepbound's late-stage study indicated an average weight loss of more than 22% over 72 weeks, while Wegovy's separate study showed a 15% weight loss over 68 weeks [4] Market Implications - The weight loss drug market is projected to be worth $150 billion annually by the early 2030s, with Zepbound expected to generate $27.2 billion in annual sales by 2030, while Wegovy is forecasted to reach $18.7 billion [7][8] - Zepbound's greater weight loss efficacy positions Eli Lilly favorably against Novo Nordisk in the competitive weight loss drug market [7] Supply and Demand - There has been a significant demand for Zepbound and Wegovy, leading both companies to invest billions in expanding manufacturing capacity [9] - The FDA currently lists all doses of Zepbound and Wegovy as "available" on its drug shortage database, indicating improvements in supply [9] Pricing and Accessibility - Both Zepbound and Wegovy are priced around $1,000 per month, which poses accessibility challenges for patients due to inconsistent insurance coverage for weight loss treatments in the U.S. [10] Mechanism of Action - Zepbound works by activating two gut hormones, GIP and GLP-1, to reduce appetite and regulate blood sugar, while Wegovy only activates GLP-1 [11]