Eli Lilly and Co

Novo Nordisk's next-gen obesity treatment CagriSema showed less weight loss than expected, causing a 20% share drop and £70B market value loss. The treatment, combining semaglutide and cagrilintide, induced 22.7% weight loss vs. 22.5% by Lilly's Mounjaro. Both firms race to develop oral drugs by 2025, aiming to improve weight loss and reduce side effects. The weight loss market is projected to grow from $24B in 2023 to over $100B by 2030.

Innovent Biologics announced China's NMPA approval of DOVBLERON®, a next-gen ROS1 TKI for previously treated ROS1-positive NSCLC. DOVBLERON®, Innovent's 13th commercial product, addresses unmet needs, especially for patients with brain metastases and resistance to prior ROS1 TKIs. A second NDA for DOVBLERON® was accepted for ROS1-positive NSCLC patients without prior ROS1 TKI treatment.

FDA says no shortage of Eli Lilly's weight loss and diabetes drugs, allowing compounding pharmacies to continue making cheaper copies for 60-90 days. Lilly warns against marketing unapproved versions of tirzepatide. Novo Nordisk's Wegovy still in shortage. Compounding pharmacies argue shortage persists.

Eli Lilly plans to test its GLP-1 drug, tirzepatide, for addiction treatment. The drug may counteract hedonistic pursuits, reducing opioid overdose risk. It also improved sleep apnea symptoms and reduced all-cause mortality, making it a candidate for life-extension research.

Two years after Dobbs vs Jackson Women’s Health, abortion rights uncertainty rises with Trump’s return. The issue explores US abortion restrictions’ impact on clinical trials, Pfizer’s management against activist investor Starboard, and Eli Lilly’s UK investment. The edition also features a pharma event guide for 2025.

FDA approves Zepbound (tirzepatide) as the first prescription medicine for adults with moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and obesity. Zepbound, used with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, significantly improves OSA and aids in long-term weight loss. SURMOUNT-OSA trials showed Zepbound reduced breathing disruptions and led to weight loss, with 42-50% experiencing remission or mild OSA.

Novo Nordisk's Henrik Wulff oversees global production of semaglutide, used in Wegovy and Ozempic. Supply issues have hindered uptake despite high demand. Novo bought three manufacturing sites for $11 billion to boost GLP-1 output, aiming to ease bottlenecks in production. The new facilities will help increase semaglutide production and device manufacturing.

Eli Lilly has received approval to sell and market Kisunla for early Alzheimer’s symptoms in China.

New weight-loss drugs by Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, among others, could potentially end the obesity pandemic, according to the World Health Organization, as reported by Reuters in a JAMA opinion piece.

Sanofi and Teva announced positive phase IIb RELIEVE UCCD study results for duvakitug, an anti-TL1A therapy for Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's disease, meeting primary endpoints. Plans for a late-stage study and detailed results presentation are underway. Shares of both companies surged post-announcement.