3 Stocks Targeting Weight Loss Market With Cannabinoid-Based Therapies

Industry Overview - The obesity market is rapidly expanding, driven by the success of GLP-1 therapies Wegovy and Zepbound, and is projected to reach $100 billion by 2030 [1] - There is a growing interest in cannabinoid (CBD)-based therapies as companies seek to innovate beyond GLP-1s for weight management [2] - The cannabis industry is also experiencing significant growth, expected to surpass $200 billion by 2032, although direct investments in cannabis companies have been challenging due to regulatory issues [3] Company Analysis Novo Nordisk - Novo Nordisk is a leader in obesity treatments with its semaglutide products, Wegovy and Ozempic, but faces increasing competition from Eli Lilly [5] - The company entered the CBD space by acquiring Inversago Pharmaceuticals in 2023, adding monlunabant, an investigational oral cannabinoid drug for metabolic diseases [6] - A phase IIa study on monlunabant showed statistically significant weight loss compared to placebo, but higher doses had diminishing returns; a phase IIb study is planned to find an optimal dose [7] - EPS estimates for 2025 have increased from $3.81 to $3.84, while 2026 estimates have slightly decreased from $4.66 to $4.64; the stock has declined about 21% year to date due to competition and regulatory challenges [8] Corbus Pharmaceuticals - Corbus' lead CBD candidate, CRB-913, targets the same CB1 receptor as monlunabant and is currently in phase I studies, with results expected in Q3 2025 [9] - Preclinical data suggest CRB-913 may have advantages over previous therapies, with a significantly lower brain-to-plasma ratio, indicating reduced neuropsychiatric side effects [10] - Corbus is also developing two oncology drugs, CRB-701 and CRB-601, with CRB-701 in phase I/II studies [11] - Loss per share estimates for 2025 have increased from $5.47 to $6.34, and for 2026 from $5.30 to $5.39; the stock has declined 36% year to date, reflecting regulatory volatility [12][13] Skye Bioscience - Skye Bioscience is developing nimacimab, a monoclonal antibody targeting the CB1 pathway, currently in a phase II study evaluating its efficacy as a monotherapy and in combination with Wegovy [14] - Nimacimab is designed to minimize brain penetration while maintaining metabolic effects, with early studies showing no adverse psychiatric events [15] - Loss per share estimates for 2025 have widened from $1.27 to $1.31, and for 2026 from $1.48 to $1.52; the stock has lost 27% year to date due to financial concerns and lack of commercial revenues [16]