The potential for weight loss drugs has caught the attention of Wall Street, with the prospect of a pill for obesity promising to revolutionize the market, The Wall Street Journal reports.
Ozempic and Wegovy, produced by Novo Nordisk NVO, and Mounjaro, by Eli Lilly Inc. LLY, are currently leading the market. However, these drugs are expensive, costing over $10,000 a year, and only available as injections.
The Pill Revolution
An effective pill could change the landscape by making it easier for doctors to prescribe these medications and for patients to adhere to them. A simpler manufacturing process could also eventually bring the price tag down. Recent studies by Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk have shown promising results for oral versions of their drugs, leading to significant weight loss.
Market Impact
The development of oral drugs has generated excitement on Wall Street, where investors see the potential for broader adoption of obesity treatments at lower cost. A daily pill could make it easier for primary-care physicians to prescribe them more widely, expanding the market beyond endocrinologists and obesity specialists.
Future Prospects
Analysts suggest that the treatment of obesity could eventually involve a combination of oral and injectable drugs. Initially, patients could be treated with higher-efficacy injections to significantly reduce weight, followed by a maintenance phase with easier-to-take pills. However, experts insist that lifestyle changes are also necessary to address America’s obesity problem.
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