口服减肥药来了

Core Viewpoint - The approval of the first oral GLP-1 weight loss medication, Wegovy, by the U.S. regulatory authorities marks the beginning of a new era in obesity treatment, with potential for further expansion in this category [1]. Group 1: Company Developments - Following the announcement, the stock of Novo Nordisk rose approximately 10% in after-hours trading, ultimately closing with a gain of 9.5% [2]. - The approval is a significant victory for Novo Nordisk, which has faced intense competition from Eli Lilly in the weight loss drug market, leading to pressure on its stock earlier in the year [3]. - Novo Nordisk plans to launch the new oral medication in early January at a cash price of $149 per month, with potential costs as low as $25 per month for insured patients [4]. Group 2: Clinical and Market Insights - The oral medication contains 25 mg of semaglutide, the same active ingredient found in the injectable versions of Wegovy and Ozempic, and is expected to provide significant weight loss results [4]. - Clinical trial results from the Oasis 4 study indicated that patients taking the 25 mg dose lost an average of approximately 16.6% of their body weight over 64 weeks, supporting the drug's efficacy [4]. - The FDA approval also allows the drug to be used for reducing the risk of major cardiovascular events in adults with obesity and diagnosed cardiovascular disease [4]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape - Analysts note that the approval of the GLP-1 weight loss pill is a much-needed win for Novo Nordisk amid challenges to maintain its market share in the incretin market [5]. - Earlier this year, Eli Lilly captured a significant market share with its injection drug Zepbound, which has been shown to be more effective than Novo Nordisk's Wegovy [6]. - The market for weight loss drugs is expected to grow significantly, with Goldman Sachs analysts projecting that by 2030, weight loss medications could account for 24% of the global weight loss drug market, approximately $22 billion [6].