The Coming Wave of New Obesity-Treatment Drugs
Results from dozens of trials are due as drugmakers seek medicines that spur greater weight loss, can be taken less often or cause fewer side effects.
Until now, just two companies have dominated the obesity-treatment market: Denmark’s Novo Nordisk A/S and its US rival Eli Lilly & Co. Ozempic and Wegovy, made by Novo, are on track to become the world’s bestselling drug franchise in 2025, and Zepbound and Mounjaro, made by Lilly, are growing fast. But the year will also start to show how soon the weight-loss duopoly will face serious challengers.
Results from dozens of midstage patient trials of medications for obesity and related diseases are due in 2025, according to researcher Airfinity Ltd. The slew of data, from both upstarts and industry heavyweights, will help determine the options available in coming years. Drugmakers are aiming to offer medicines that can be taken less frequently, spur greater weight loss or cause fewer side effects.