Eli Lilly’s obesity drug Zepbound has taken the lead in the highly competitive weight loss treatment market, surpassing its main rival Wegovy from Novo Nordisk in a head-to-head trial. According to the results, patients on Zepbound lost an average of 20.2% of their body weight over 72 weeks, compared to 13.7% for those taking Wegovy.
The news comes as no surprise, given the existing clinical trial data on both drugs, but it provides valuable insights into their comparative effectiveness. Analysts believe that Zepbound’s head-to-head trial results will drive accelerating market share gains relative to Wegovy.
Zepbound and Wegovy are part of the booming GLP-1 class of obesity drugs, which are expected to reach $100 billion in value by the end of the decade. These drugs mimic naturally occurring hormones to regulate blood sugar and suppress appetite, leading to weight loss.
Eli Lilly’s stock rose over 2.5% following the announcement, while Novo Nordisk’s ticked higher by about half a percent. The company’s CEO, Dave Ricks, is seen as crucial in meeting demand for the drugs, which have been on the FDA’s drug shortage list since their release.
The success of Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk has sparked a crowded market for obesity drugs, with investors eagerly awaiting updates from the pharmaceutical industry. With Zepbound now leading the pack, analysts are optimistic about its potential to drive growth and profitability for Eli Lilly.
Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/12/04/eli-lillys-obesity-drug-beats-rival-in-head-to-head-trial-where-cramer-sees-shares-going-next.html