ZACKS·2025-12-24 16:51Core Insights - The FDA has approved Novo Nordisk's oral version of the obesity drug Wegovy, marking a significant advancement in obesity treatment with the first oral GLP-1 drug in the U.S. [1] - The oral Wegovy pill is expected to lower treatment burden and broaden patient adoption compared to injectable treatments, with a launch planned for January 2026 at a price of $149 per month [2] - Lilly and Novo Nordisk are currently the dominant players in the obesity market, with Novo Nordisk aiming to regain market share through the oral Wegovy [3] Group 1: Product Developments - Lilly has developed an oral GLP-1 small molecule called orforglipron and has filed a new drug application with the FDA, aiming for a potential launch next year [4] - Recent data from a phase III study on orforglipron showed its effectiveness in maintaining weight loss after switching from injectable treatments [7] - Lilly is also evaluating another candidate, retatrutide, which combines multiple mechanisms for treating obesity and other conditions, with data expected in late 2026 [10][11] Group 2: Market Dynamics - Novo Nordisk's approval of the oral Wegovy gives it a first-to-market advantage, which may initially impact Lilly's market share [5] - Despite the competition, Lilly's Zepbound has previously captured a significant market share and surpassed Wegovy's sales in 2025 [6] - The obesity market is expanding, with multiple players, including smaller biotech firms, developing oral GLP-1 drugs, indicating a competitive landscape [12][14] Group 3: Financial Performance - Lilly's stock has increased by 34.6% over the past year, outperforming the industry average of 16.0% [15] - The current price/earnings ratio for Lilly's shares is 32.07, significantly higher than the industry average of 17.40, although it is below its 5-year mean of 34.54 [16] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Lilly's earnings per share has risen for both 2025 and 2026, indicating positive market sentiment [18]