New GLP-1 Pill Shows Promise in Trials; Patients Pausing Treatment for the Holidays

GLP Digest: A weekly roundup of the most important news & research related to GLP-1 drugs. We read through hundreds of articles, reports and journals so you can remain up-to-date.

In today’s digest:

1. Some GLP-1 patients pausing treatments during the holidays, believe benefits will continue anyway. (Read)

2. WeightWatchers officially jumps on the GLP-1 train, supporting patients with a long list of services. (Read)

3. After a banner 2023, the outlook for Novo Nordisk is more cautious for 2024. (Read)

4. [Premium] New obesity pill shows promise in mid-stage trial, maker looking for ‘strategic partners’. (i.e. Buy us for $Billions now!) (Read)

5. [Premium] Another new GLP-1 drug shows promise in Phase 2 trial: Study (Read)

1. GLP-1 Patients Pausing Treatments During Holidays, Sharing Experiences on Social Media

During the festive season, individuals on medications like Ozempic and Wegovy are considering a temporary cessation of their treatment. This trend is driven by a desire to fully engage in holiday eating traditions without the appetite suppression and altered food preferences these drugs induce.

Some users, sharing their experiences on platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and Reddit, report planning to skip or delay doses. One TikToker shared her experience of skipping a semaglutide dose before Thanksgiving, finding she still had reduced appetite during the meal. However, medical experts caution against such pauses, pointing out potential side effects like nausea and a rebound in appetite or "food noise."

The decision to take a treatment hiatus is not solely influenced by dietary desires. The high cost of these medications, particularly during the financially demanding holiday season, is a significant factor. For instance, a Mounjaro user mentioned stretching her prescription to manage holiday expenses, indicating a financial element to these treatment decisions.

Our Take:

The trend of GLP-1 agonist users contemplating treatment breaks during holidays could present a nuanced impact on the market dynamics and profit trajectories of these drugs. This implication of minimal impact during pauses could lead to short-term revenue fluctuations and long-term adherence concerns.

It’s also becoming more clear that financial considerations are a big part of patients’ continued usage of these meds.

Read the full story here.

2. WeightWatchers Introduces Innovative GLP-1 Support Program

WeightWatchers, traditionally known for its weight management programs, is now making a leap into the burgeoning GLP-1 space. Embracing the growing trend of GLP-1 therapies in weight management, WeightWatchers has expanded its services to include a dedicated GLP-1 support program.

The new program provides users with tailored nutritional and activity guidelines, a plethora of recipes, and tools for tracking food and exercise. It's bolstered by 24/7 access to professional coaches, virtual workshops, and a supportive digital community.

The recent acquisition of Sequence, a telehealth company, has further enriched the program, allowing the introduction of the WeightWatchers Clinic. This clinic provides an enhanced level of care, including medication management support, a significant boon for those on GLP-1 medications.

Our Take: 

For the biotech and pharma industry, this development illustrates a pivotal shift in traditional weight management strategies, with an established player like WeightWatchers entering the GLP-1 arena. This move underscores the growing need for supportive services that complement these treatments. It also opens up potential avenues for partnerships and collaborations between traditional weight management companies and pharmaceutical firms, fostering a more integrated approach to obesity and weight-related health issues.

Read more about WeightWatchers’ program here.

3. After a Banner 2023 for Novo Nordisk, Outlook for 2024 is More Cautious

In 2023, Novo Nordisk's obesity drugs sparked a market frenzy, propelling the company's shares up by 42% and making it Europe’s largest firm by market value. This surge was driven by the immense potential seen in the obesity drug market, projected to hit $100 billion by 2030. However, the outlook for 2024 is more cautious.

Analysts predict a more modest 9% growth, citing challenges like stiffening competition, production constraints, and high valuation. Novo's rivals, including Eli Lilly with their drugs Mounjaro and Zepbound, are gaining ground. Despite these hurdles, Novo is expected to maintain market dominance, with its next-generation drug, CagriSema, showing promise in clinical trials.

Our Take:

Novo Nordisk's trajectory in 2024 hinges on several critical factors. To continue its growth, the company must successfully navigate increased competition and resolve production issues. Additionally, the successful development and approval of its next-gen drug, CagriSema, could be a game-changer. On the downside, the inability to scale up production to meet demand, leading to lost market share, would be a massive fail.

Read the full story here.

4. Premium: Groundbreaking Obesity Pill Shows Promising Results in Mid-Stage Trial

In a significant stride towards revolutionizing obesity treatment, Structure Therapeutics' novel pill (yes, pill!), GSBR-1290, has demonstrated notable weight loss in obese patients, positioning it as a potential game-changer in the lucrative obesity drug market.

Structure Therapeutics announced encouraging results from a Phase 2a trial of GSBR-1290, an experimental pill for obesity and diabetes. This drug, a GLP-1 agonist like Wegovy, Ozempic, and Mounjaro, showed a substantial 4.74% weight loss in obese patients over eight weeks, outperforming placebo. Additionally, diabetic patients exhibited significant reductions in HbA1c levels. GSBR-1290's safety profile also appears favorable, with few discontinuations due to adverse effects.

These findings are particularly notable as Pfizer recently halted development of its obesity pill due to high side effect rates. "We believe that we need a strategic partner for the Phase 3 and commercialization," Chief Executive Raymond Stevens said. (We all know what that means, right? Wink, wink.)

Our Take:

GSBR-1290's competitive edge lies in its oral administration, setting it apart from current injection-based GLP-1 agonists. Structure's search for a strategic partner for Phase 3 trials and commercialization opens potential collaboration and investment opportunities in a rapidly growing market. Their success in early trials must have the big drug manufacturer salivating, after Pfizer paused its own pill development. Remember, Roche paid $2.7 Billion for Carmot recently.

Read the full story here.

5. Premium: Mazdutide's Impressive Results in Chinese Adults [Study]

In a study published in Nature Communications, researchers evaluated the efficacy and safety of Mazdutide, a cutting-edge GLP-1 and glucagon receptor dual agonist, in Chinese adults struggling with obesity or being overweight. This 24-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial enrolled 248 participants across 20 hospitals in China, administering Mazdutide in doses up to 6 mg.

The results were impressive: participants experienced a robust reduction in body weight, with mean percentage changes ranging from -6.7% to -11.3%, compared to a mere 1.0% in the placebo group. For comparison, Semaglutide, in its STEP 1 trial, demonstrated a weight loss of about -6% by week 12 and -12% by week 28.

Our Take:

Mazdutide's emergence represents both a challenge and an opportunity for manufacturers of established drugs like Semaglutide. Mazdutide’s dual agonist approach could offer differentiated benefits that might appeal to a substantial segment of the obesity treatment market. This necessitates strategic planning, possibly involving enhancement of their existing products or diversification into similar dual-action therapies.

The possibility of Mazdutide being acquired by a major player also exists. Such an acquisition could provide a strategic advantage, allowing an established company to expand its portfolio in the obesity and diabetes treatment space. For companies not currently in the GLP-1 market, acquiring Mazdutide offers a direct entry with a competitive product.

Read the study here.