The race to offer cheaper weight loss drugs is running into some legal limits. Tellahalth company Hims and Hers announced a cheaper version of Novo's Waggoi weight loss pill at the beginning of February. Now, it would cost $49 to start, which is far less than the $149 Novo sells the branded pill for, but it pulled the drug after legal and regulatory risks escalated.Now, legally, they're allowed to create a compounded version of a drug if they are saying they're adjusting the formula for quote personalized p ...

The race to offer cheaper weight loss drugs is running into some legal limits. Telehealth company Hims & Hers announced a cheaper version of Novo's Wegovy weight-loss pill at the beginning of February. Now it would cost $49 to start, which is far less than the $149 Novo sells the branded pill for.But it pulled the drug after legal and regulatory risks escalated. Now, legally, they're allowed to create a compounded version of a drug if they are saying they're adjusting the formula for "personalized purposes. ...

Core Insights - Eli Lilly's stock experienced a significant increase of 39% over the past year, driven by the success of its weight loss drugs [1] - The obesity drug market is projected to reach nearly $100 billion by the end of the decade, indicating strong growth potential [2] Company Overview - Viking Therapeutics specializes in treatments for metabolic and endocrine disorders and is currently developing weight loss candidates in late-stage clinical trials [4] - The company's VK2735, available in both injectable and oral forms, functions similarly to Lilly's tirzepatide, targeting hormones that regulate blood sugar and appetite [5] Clinical Development - Viking's VK2735 has shown promising results in clinical trials, with a reported weight loss of up to 14.7% in a phase 2 trial after 13 weeks [5] - The drug is currently in phase 3 and phase 2 trials, indicating progress towards potential market entry [4] Market Competition - VK2735 has the potential to compete with established products like Lilly's tirzepatide and Novo Nordisk's semaglutide, although direct comparisons are challenging due to differing trial parameters [7] - Despite the dominance of major pharmaceutical companies, there is a consistent demand for weight loss drugs, suggesting opportunities for new entrants like Viking [8] Investment Potential - If successful, Viking Therapeutics could see substantial rewards due to the high demand for weight loss drugs and the potential for partnerships or acquisitions by larger companies [9] - The stock is considered a top biotech investment for 2026, appealing to investors willing to accept the risks associated with drug development [9]

Health & Policy - The discussion revolves around President Trump's executive order to reinstate the presidential fitness test in public schools, initially established in 1956 by President Eisenhower [1] - The policy is viewed as performative and political theater, unlikely to address childhood obesity effectively [4] - The core issue lies in structural problems such as limited access to healthy food, a flawed healthcare system, unsafe neighborhoods for exercise, and insufficient recess or physical education [5][6] - Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" campaign, aimed at promoting physical activity and healthy school lunches, faced ridicule from conservatives, highlighting potential political motivations behind health initiatives [10][11] Obesity & Treatment - Over 70% of children and 85% of teenagers do not meet the 2024 federal minimum recommendation for daily moderate to vigorous physical activity, with higher rates among children of color [3] - The administration plans to experiment with Medicare and Medicaid coverage for weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, addressing disparities in obesity treatment access [13] - While medication is beneficial, it's not a complete solution; preventive and wraparound services are essential, raising concerns about Medicaid cuts affecting state affordability of GLP-1s [14][15] Nutrition & Systemic Issues - The administration's focus on changing ingredients in junk food is seen as addressing issues on a granular level rather than tackling systemic problems [17][18] - Addressing the underinsured and uninsured populations, predominantly people of color, is crucial for ensuring access to preventive care and resolving systemic issues impacting communities [19]

Company Transformation - Novo Nordisk's weight loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy transformed the firm into a global pharmaceutical giant [1] Market Value - Four years after Wegovy's US launch, the Danish drugmaker's market value has plummeted [1]