Novo Nordisk’s appetite-blocking shot semaglutide, sold under brand names Ozempic and Wegovy, is facing intense competition in the growing obesity market. The company hopes its new lead drug, CagriSema, will achieve at least 25% weight loss without increased side effects.
CagriSema competes with Eli Lilly’s Zepbound (Mounjaro), which has shown similar or even greater weight loss results. Several other companies are developing next-generation drugs, including shots that could be more effective and simpler pills. Semaglutide is also facing US price negotiations in 2024 and European patent expiry by 2031.
In China, where the compound will lose patent protection in 2026, generic challengers are already preparing to enter the market. Novo Nordisk must prove CagriSema’s success by December to maintain its lead in this lucrative field, which is projected to reach $130 billion by 2030.
Source: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2024-11-04/ozempic-maker-novo-nordisk-s-new-obesity-drug-targets-biggest-weight-loss-yet