减肥药之争进入口服赛道，礼来要赶超诺和诺德？

Core Viewpoint - Novo Nordisk has received FDA approval for its oral weight loss drug Wegovy, set to launch in January 2026 at a starting price of $149 per month, potentially making it more accessible than its injectable counterpart [5][14]. Group 1: Novo Nordisk's Product Launch - The oral version of Wegovy is designed to provide weight loss results comparable to the injectable version, with the added convenience of daily oral administration [5]. - The active ingredient in the oral drug is semaglutide, the same as in the injectable Wegovy and Ozempic, but with a higher dosage in the new formulation [5]. - Novo Nordisk has reached an agreement with Trump to allow self-paying patients to purchase the drug at the same price through a new website launching in January [5]. Group 2: Competitive Landscape - Eli Lilly, a major competitor, is also developing an oral weight loss drug and has submitted it for FDA approval, which is expected to follow shortly after Novo Nordisk's approval [7]. - Eli Lilly's injectable weight loss drugs use tirzepatide, while its oral formulation is based on a new ingredient, orforglipron [7]. - Recent performance shows Eli Lilly's Zepbound has surpassed Novo Nordisk's Wegovy in revenue contribution [8]. Group 3: Drug Efficacy and Development - Novo Nordisk's oral drug includes a protective component, SNAC, to prevent rapid degradation in the stomach, requiring patients to take it on an empty stomach [11]. - Clinical studies indicate that Novo Nordisk's oral formulation achieves weight loss comparable to its injectable version over 64 weeks, while Eli Lilly's oral drug shows less efficacy compared to its injectable [11]. - Both companies are exploring next-generation drugs, with Novo Nordisk researching cagrilintide and Eli Lilly focusing on retatrutide, which may offer enhanced weight loss and metabolic benefits [12]. Group 4: Market Impact and Stock Performance - Following the approval of the oral weight loss drug, Novo Nordisk's stock rose by 7.30%, reaching a market capitalization of $175 billion, although it has seen a year-to-date decline of 38.35% [14]. - Eli Lilly's stock has increased by 39.54% year-to-date, reflecting strong market confidence in its weight loss products [14]. - Pfizer has entered the weight loss drug market by acquiring Metsera for approximately $100 billion, aiming to develop a monthly injectable GLP-1 receptor agonist [13][14].