More than a third of patients on Wegovy pill are new to GLP-1 drugs, study finds

Core Insights - A study by Truveta reveals that 36% of early users of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy weight-loss pill are new to GLP-1 medications, indicating a significant market expansion for the drug [1] - Among patients who started a new prescription for Wegovy, 21.1% had previously used the injectable version of Wegovy, while 15.8% switched from Eli Lilly's Zepbound, another GLP-1 injectable [1] Company Analysis - Novo Nordisk's Wegovy pill was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on December 22, marking a pivotal moment for the company in the weight-loss medication market [1] - The data suggests that Wegovy is attracting a new demographic of patients who have not previously used GLP-1 drugs, which could lead to increased sales and market share for Novo Nordisk [1] Industry Implications - The findings indicate a growing acceptance and demand for GLP-1 medications in the weight-loss sector, potentially influencing competitive dynamics among pharmaceutical companies [1] - The shift from injectable to oral forms of GLP-1 drugs may reshape patient preferences and treatment protocols within the industry [1]