Core Insights - Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are currently the leading companies in the GLP-1 drug market, with increasing competition as more drugmakers enter the obesity treatment space, presenting a significant growth opportunity in healthcare [1] Company Overview - Structure Therapeutics is a smaller company that is developing a GLP-1 weight loss pill, aleniglipron, which is entering phase 3 trials this year [2] - The company has reported a placebo-adjusted weight loss of up to 15.3% on the highest dosage after 36 weeks, aligning its results with other leading weight loss treatments [2][3] Clinical Trials and Safety - Structure's management highlights that their trials are shorter than those of other GLP-1 drugmakers, which typically last over 60 weeks, making their early results promising [3] - The treatment has shown no liver injuries or significant side effects, indicating a favorable safety profile [3] Market Position and Valuation - Structure's CEO believes the company is next in line for regulatory approval after Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, but strong phase 3 trial results are necessary before approval can be obtained [4] - The stock has tripled in value over the past 12 months, suggesting that investors may have already priced in the potential approval of the drug, with a current market capitalization of $6.5 billion [5] Investment Considerations - While there may be further upside for Structure's stock, its elevated valuation raises caution for investors, as any setbacks could lead to a significant sell-off [6]

In this articleLLYThe Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk logos.Mike Blake | Tom Little | ReutersIt's a tale of two drugmakers in the red-hot obesity drug market. Both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are grappling with lower prices in the U.S., but their 2026 outlooks are diverging sharply: While Novo is bracing for a sales decline, Lilly sees revenue jumping again thanks to its blockbuster medicines. The split in guidance – despite similar headwinds – underscores the strength of Lilly's position in the obesity and diabe ...

Novo Nordisk said Tuesday that fourth-quarter sales of Wegovy rose 17% on year. - Tom Little/Reuters Shares in Wegovy maker Novo Nordisk slid in early European trading Wednesday after guidance for the year ahead disappointed investors. In Copenhagen, the stock tumbled 19% at the opening bell after shares closed 15% lower in New York following Tuesday’s release of the company’s 2026 forecast. Most Read from The Wall Street Journal The Danish drugmaker said Tuesday that adjusted sales and operating profi ...

Core Viewpoint - Pill versions of the successful GLP-1 drugs from Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are expected to be available in the first half of 2026 [1] Company and Industry Summary - Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are leading companies in the GLP-1 drug market, which is anticipated to expand with the introduction of oral formulations [1]

Core Insights - Positive drug trial results are driving investor interest in pharmaceutical stocks, particularly Corbus Pharmaceuticals and Eli Lilly, due to advancements in their obesity drugs [1] Group 1: Corbus Pharmaceuticals - Corbus Pharmaceuticals reported favorable results from its Phase 1a study for the oral CRB-913 medication, which targets different pathways than GLP-1 drugs, showing a favorable safety profile and emerging weight loss evidence [2] - The stock price of Corbus was last seen up 2% at $10.46, recovering from a pullback after reaching an all-time high of $20.56 on October 20, and has increased by 62.8% over the last nine months [2] - Options trading for Corbus is notably high, with 43 times the intraday call volume, and the most popular contract being the December 19 call [4] Group 2: Eli Lilly - Eli Lilly's late-stage trial data for its retatrutide drug indicated significant weight loss and pain relief for participants with knee osteoarthritis [3] - The stock price of Eli Lilly was last seen up 3.2% at $1,025.28, rebounding after a decline from its all-time peak of $1,111.99 on November 26, and has gained over 33% this year [3] - Options trading for Eli Lilly is also robust, with double the normal amount of calls being traded, and the most popular contract being the weekly 12/12 1,020-strike call [4] Group 3: Options Market Insights - The current market conditions present an opportune time to invest in options for both Corbus and Eli Lilly, with Schaeffer's Volatility Indexes (SVI) indicating options are affordably priced at 94% for Corbus and 30% for Eli Lilly, ranking above 9% and 15% of annual readings, respectively [5]

Core Insights - Viking Therapeutics (VKTX) shares have increased by 34% over the past three months, driven by positive investor sentiment regarding its obesity drug VK2735 [1][11]. Company Developments - Viking completed enrollment in the phase III VANQUISH-1 study, evaluating VK2735 in obese or overweight adults with at least one weight-related co-morbidity, surpassing the target with approximately 4,650 patients enrolled [2]. - The company also achieved rapid enrollment milestones earlier this year in the phase II VENTURE-Oral Dosing study, which evaluated an oral formulation of VK2735 [3]. - Currently, Viking is enrolling patients in the phase III VANQUISH-2 study, targeting nearly 1,100 obese or overweight adults with type II diabetes, with recruitment expected to complete by early 2026 [5]. Market Context - The obesity drug market is expanding, influenced by the success of competitors like Eli Lilly's Zepbound and Novo Nordisk's Wegovy, indicating strong demand for VK2735 [4]. - The U.S. obesity market is projected to reach $100 billion by 2030, with major players optimizing production and developing new GLP-1-based candidates [7]. - Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are racing to introduce oral weight-loss pills, with Novo already seeking FDA approval for an oral version of Wegovy [8]. Competitive Landscape - Eli Lilly is investing in various obesity treatments, with several candidates in clinical development, including orforglipron and retatrutide, and plans to file for regulatory approval for orforglipron later this year [9]. Valuation and Performance - Viking Therapeutics shares are trading at a premium, with a price-to-book (P/B) ratio of 5.84 compared to the industry average of 3.60 [13]. - Despite the recent surge, VKTX shares have underperformed the industry year to date [12].

Company Highlights - Viking Therapeutics has completed enrollment of approximately 4,650 adults in the phase III VANQUISH-1 study for its obesity drug VK2735, surpassing its initial target of 4,500 patients [2][3][9] - The study evaluates the safety and efficacy of three subcutaneous dosing arms (7.5 mg, 12.5 mg, and 17.5 mg) against a placebo, with a primary endpoint of percent change in body weight after 78 weeks [2][9] - The company is also enrolling patients in the phase III VANQUISH-2 study, targeting nearly 1,100 obese or overweight adults with type II diabetes, with expected completion in Q1 2026 [5] Industry Context - The obesity market is projected to reach $100 billion in the United States by 2030, driven by the success of existing drugs from Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk [11] - Both companies are actively developing new oral weight-loss medications, with Novo Nordisk seeking FDA approval for an oral version of Wegovy by the end of this year [12] - Pfizer has re-entered the obesity market by acquiring Metsera for around $10 billion, adding four novel clinical-stage programs to its portfolio, which could generate significant peak sales [15]

Core Insights - Pfizer's stock has shown a potential short-term bullish trend, trading above its 50-day and 200-day moving averages since early November and late September respectively [1][9] - The recent acquisition of Metsera for approximately $10 billion has positively impacted Pfizer's stock performance, alongside a drug pricing agreement with the U.S. administration [2][9] - Pfizer's oncology segment is a significant revenue driver, contributing around 28% to total revenues, with a year-to-date growth of 7% [5][10] Company Performance - Pfizer's oncology revenues are supported by key drugs such as Xtandi, Lorbrena, and Padcev, and the company aims to have eight or more blockbuster oncology medicines by 2030 [5][10] - The company is expanding its product labels and pipeline, including both oncology and non-oncology products [6] - Non-COVID operational revenues are improving, with a 9% operational increase in recently launched and acquired products in the first nine months of 2025 [7][10] Strategic Acquisitions - Pfizer has invested approximately $1.6 billion in business development transactions in 2025, including the Metsera acquisition, which re-enters the obesity market [11] - The Metsera acquisition adds four novel clinical-stage programs expected to generate significant peak sales [11] Challenges and Risks - Sales of COVID products, Comirnaty and Paxlovid, are experiencing softness due to lower vaccination and infection rates [12][13] - Pfizer anticipates a moderate negative revenue impact from loss of exclusivity (LOE) starting in 2025, with significant effects expected from 2026 to 2030 [14] - The company expects an unfavorable impact of approximately $1 billion from the Medicare Part D redesign under the Inflation Reduction Act [15] Financial Outlook - Pfizer's stock has underperformed compared to the industry and S&P 500, with a year-to-date loss of 5.4% [16] - The stock is trading at a price/earnings ratio of 7.97, below the industry average of 16.71 and its five-year mean of 10.48, indicating potential value [19] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings has increased for 2025, reflecting a positive outlook [22] Future Projections - Pfizer expects a revenue compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 6% from 2025 to 2030, driven by its diversified portfolio [10] - The company aims to achieve cost savings of $7.7 billion by the end of 2027 through restructuring [25] - Pfizer's dividend yield stands at around 7%, providing an attractive return for investors [25]

Fiser's up to10 billion dollar deal to buy MSA ended a fierce bidding war with Nova Nordisk. It's a move aimed at establishing Fizer in the very fast growing market for obesity drugs. Joining us now any first on CNBC interview to discuss the deal and who knows what else of course is company's chairman and CEO Albert Borla.Nice to have you here. >> Thank you for having me David. >> Um from your original deal to where you ended up I think you're paying another two $2.1% billion.Why was it worth it to you to s ...

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz joins 'Squawk Box' to discuss the details of the deal between the White House, Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to slash prices of obesity drugs, impact of the government shutdown on health care, fate of the ACA subsidies, and more. ...