Healthy Returns: Novo Nordisk boosts the case for its upcoming obesity pill with additional data

Core Viewpoint - Novo Nordisk's oral obesity drug Wegovy is on the verge of regulatory approval, with new data supporting its safety and effectiveness presented at the ObesityWeek conference, highlighting its potential to capture market share in the competitive weight loss drug sector [2][4]. Group 1: Drug Performance and Clinical Data - The 25-milligram oral version of Wegovy could receive approval by the end of the year, bolstered by new clinical data [2]. - In the OASIS 4 clinical trial, 71.1% of participants with prediabetes achieved normal blood glucose levels after 64 weeks on the pill, compared to 33.3% on placebo [5]. - Participants on the pill were more likely to lose 15% or more of their body weight, leading to significant improvements in blood pressure and reductions in inflammatory markers and triglycerides [6]. - An indirect comparison indicated that the oral and injectable formulations of Wegovy delivered comparable results in weight loss and cardiometabolic markers [7]. Group 2: Market Position and Competitive Landscape - The launch of the oral pill is crucial for Novo Nordisk, especially after losing a bidding war for the obesity biotech Metsera to Pfizer, as it seeks to strengthen its pipeline amid competition from Eli Lilly [4]. - The oral formulation is expected to expand market access for patients who prefer alternatives to injections, potentially increasing the overall market for weight loss treatments [8]. Group 3: Demographic Insights - The pill demonstrated significant weight loss across different stages of menopause, with pre-menopausal women losing an average of 18.2% of their body weight, peri-menopausal women losing 15%, and post-menopausal women losing 15.7% [11]. - Most patients who reported low physical function at the trial's start experienced meaningful improvements, with 77.3% of those on the pill achieving better physical function compared to 42.9% on placebo [13].