Drugmakers are making ready to launch an estimated 13 new weight-loss remedies within the U.S. over the following 5 years amid surging demand for the merchandise, in keeping with a brand new report by Global Data.
Beginning in 2024, the variety of weight problems drug launches is anticipated to climb considerably, reaching a peak of 4 launches per 12 months in 2027 and 2028. In comparability, solely three merchandise have been launched between 2019 and 2023, the analysis agency stated.
Fueling demand is the skyrocketing fee of weight problems within the U.S., with the World Health Organization predicting that round 50% of US adults might be thought-about overweight by 2030, up from 42% in 2020 and solely 31% in 1999. Meanwhile, gross sales of weight-loss medication have additionally soared, with Novo Nordisk’s (NVO) Wegovy and Eli Lilly’s (NYSE:LLY) Zepbound producing $9.7B in international gross sales in 2023, in keeping with the report.
GlobalData stated weight-loss drug heavyweight Novo Nordisk is anticipated to launch six merchandise within the subsequent 5 years, led by CagriSema, a mix of the energetic ingredient in Wegovy, semaglutide, and cagrilintide. Currently in Phase 3 testing, CagriSema is anticipated to hit the market by the top of 2025 and generate gross sales of $7.4B by 2029.
According to Novo Nordisk’s web site, a second anti-obesity drug, INV-202, is in Phase 2 testing, with newer formulations of semaglutide in mid-to-late stage improvement. Novo Nordisk can also be growing a peripheral targeted ultrasound remedy with GE Healthcare (GEHC) for weight problems, which can also be in Phase 2 testing.
Novo Nordisk’s most important competitor within the weight-loss sport, Eli Lilly, additionally has large plans. According to its web site, Lilly has two anti-obesity medication in Phase 3 testing, orforglipron and retatrutide.
Lilly has additionally partnered with Chinese drug developer Innovent Biologics on an anti-obesity drug known as mazdutide. Innovent’s market utility for mazdutide was accepted for evaluate by Chinese regulators in February.
Also nearing commercialization is efpeglenatide, which is being developed by South Korean drugmaker Hanmi Pharmaceutical, and Boehringer Ingelheim’s survodutide.
Other drug candidates in mid-stage improvement for weight problems embrace Viking Therapeutics’ (VKTX) VK2735, Structure Therapeutics’ (GPCR) GSBR-1290 and Altimmune’s (ALT) pemvidutide, Pfizer’s (PFE) danuglipron, and Amgen’s (AMGN) AMG133, also called MariTide.
Meanwhile, Roche has two early-stage candidates within the hopper, CT-996 and CT-388, via its acquisition of Carmot Therapeutics.
While the weight-loss drug market is more likely to develop into extra crowded over the following few years, GlobalData believes there must be sufficient demand to help a number of gamers.
“Recent blockbuster launches have showcased the viability of obesity drugs,” stated GlobalData pharma analyst Jasper Morley stated within the report. “In accordance with the increasing patient population, it is highly likely that a number of companies manufacturing these later entrants will receive great returns for their efforts.”