Novo Nordisk gained approval for semaglutide, branded as Wegovy, for chronic weight management in 2021. Eli Lilly followed in 2023 with tirzepatide, marketed as Zepbound. These drugs were an instant hit, to the extent that the companies struggled to keep up with the demand. The blazing success of weight loss drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound has fueled intense interest in new obesity treatments. There are a total of 124 drugs in development for obesity: 61 in phase 1, 47 in phase 2, 7 in phase 3, and 8 already on the market, according to IQVIA.
While Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk lead the market, other major players such as Amgen, Roche, AstraZeneca, and Boehringer Ingelheim have also joined the fray. Zealand Pharma and Boehringer Ingelheim have collaborated on survodutide, a drug targeting GLP-1 and glucagon, showing promising early results. It is currently undergoing phase 3 studies. Amgen's leading obesity candidate, AMG 133, has demonstrated promising results in early trials. The firm is now planning phase 3 trials.
Swiss pharmaceutical giant Roche made its foray into the weight loss sector by acquiring the American biotech Carmot for $2.7 billion. This acquisition added three clinical-stage obesity programmes to Roche's portfolio, including CT-388, an injectable GLP-1, and CT-996, an oral GLP-1.
Pfizer, despite shelving its late-stage candidate due to significant side effects, remains optimistic about advancing next-generation obesity drugs.
Obesity is described as a trillion-dollar healthcare issue, and a $100 billion dollar market opportunity for pharma companies, making it a lucrative revenue stream for big pharma, which is forever in search of blockbuster drugs.
Denne historien er fra BioSpectrum Asia July 2024-utgaven av BioSpectrum Asia.
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Denne historien er fra BioSpectrum Asia July 2024-utgaven av BioSpectrum Asia.
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Prof. Christian Wolfrum to join NTU as Deputy President and Provost
Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) has announced that Professor Christian Wolfrum, an eminent biomedical scientist, will be joining the University as the next Deputy President and Provost.
Japan suggests addition of PVA into drugs for strong antitumour activity
Treatment for more advanced and difficult-to-treat head and neck cancers can be improved with the addition of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), the same ingredient used in children's glue.
"Demand for skilled medtech professionals in the Asia Pacific region is growing rapidly"
2024 saw Japanese medtech firm Olympus receiving approval for the company's first cloud-based AI endoscopy devices in the US and Europe, marking a significant milestone in Olympus' efforts to enhance clinical outcomes and operational efficiency in endoscopy, paving the way to launch its upcoming endoscopy solution, the “Intelligent Endoscopy Ecosystem”.
BeiGene names Giancarlo Benelli as Head of Europe biz
BeiGene, a Hong Kong-headquartered oncology company that intends to change its name to BeOne Medicines Ltd., has announced the appointment of Giancarlo Benelli as Senior Vice President and Head of Europe, effective January 1.
Korea develops innovative injectable adhesive hydrogel for bone regeneration
A research team from South Korea-based Pohang University of Science and Technology or POSTECH's Department of Chemical Engineering and Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, along with the Department of Chemical Engineering, has developed an innovative injectable adhesive hydrogel for bone regeneration.
When Clinical Trials Suffer From 'Complicated' Interactions
Diversity in culture, language, and data gathering methods will further increase the difficulty of clinical trials as they become more international, particularly with the growing number of sites being employed across China, Japan, South Korea, and India.
Dr Krishna M Ella receives prestigious INSA India fellowship
Dr Krishna Ella, a distinguished scientist, co-founder and Executive Chairman of Bharat Biotech International, has been recognised with the prestigious India Fellowship of the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) for the year 2025, for his contributions to new knowledge, discoveries, development of new vaccine technologies, noteworthy improvement in existing technologies.
Bruker launches infrared imaging microscope for pharma and life science research
US-based Bruker Corporation has announced the launch of the LUMOS II ILIM, a quantum cascade laser (QCL) based infrared (IR) imaging microscope.
Qiagen increases QIAcuity digital PCR high-order multiplexing capabilities
Qiagen has announced a significant increase in the powerful capabilities of its QIAcuity Digital PCR (dPCR) system with a more than two-fold increase in the number of targets that can be simultaneously analysed from a single biological sample.
Repligen unveils advanced UV-based Variable Pathlength Technology system for biopharma manufacturers
US-based Repligen Corporation has announced the commercial launch of its CTech SoloVPE PLUS System, the most advanced UV-based Variable Pathlength Technology system now available to biopharmaceutical manufacturers.
