A Booming Weight-Loss Drug Discovery Landscape at a Glance

Weight-loss Drugs and Pipelines; Leading and Novel Players; Amgen's Unique Approach; Through the Lenses of Stock Markets; China is Next Big Market: Manufacturing Challenges, Supply Shortages

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In 1986, Danish scientist Jens Juul Holst discovered that the gut hormone GLP-1 stimulates insulin and suppresses appetite. This research led to the development of two blockbuster weight-loss drugs: Wegovy by Novo Nordisk and Zepbound by Eli Lilly, now prescribed to millions as obesity affects 1 in 8 people globally.

Since Wegovy's 2021 launch and Zepbound's approval five months ago, Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are leading the next generation of weight-loss drugs, targeting a market projected to reach $150bn by 2030. Currently, 232 anti-obesity drugs are in development, with the most advanced utilizing GLP-1 combined with other hormones.

Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, who initially received approval for GLP-1 treatments for diabetes in 2005 and 2010, respectively, are now advancing five new weight-loss drugs in phase 3 trials. Novo Nordisk's CagriSema, targeting over 20% weight loss, and Eli Lilly's retatrutide, showing a 24% weight reduction in early trials, are notable candidates.

Novo Nordisk is also developing amycretin, a promising pill combining GLP-1 and amylin. Analysts like Emily Field from Barclays note these companies continually set higher standards.