Pharmaceutical companies Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly lead the competition in the weight loss drug market, considered the "Holy Grail" of the sector.
Novo Nordisk has experienced a 174% increase in sales of its injectable treatment Wegovy for obesity, with high demand in the United States. The company is also exploring alternatives, such as Rybelsus, a pill for type 2 diabetes.
On the other hand, Eli Lilly has obtained FDA approval for Zepbound, an improved version of its diabetes medication Mounjaro, with an average weight loss of 20%.
The price of Zepbound is approximately 20% lower than that of Wegovy.
Both companies face the entry of new competitors, such as Pfizer, which is developing danuglipron, a possible oral treatment for obesity. Pfizer is studying an effective dose that would be taken once a day.
Additionally, AstraZeneca has acquired the license for an experimental pill from Chinese company Eccogene for 2 billion dollars, which could have fewer side effects than current injectable treatments.
Novo Nordisk has experienced a 48% increase in its shares this year, while Eli Lilly has seen a 60% increase. Pfizer, however, has faced challenges in the stock market, with a 40% decline.
In summary, competition in the weight loss drug market is intense, with leading companies such as Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly facing challenges from new participants like Pfizer and AstraZeneca.
With information from: EstrategiasdeInversión.
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