Eli Lilly and Co

Novo Nordisk's Saxenda showed a 5.8% mean BMI reduction in children aged 6-12 with obesity in a Phase III trial, compared to 1.6% in the placebo group. The trial data supports expanding Saxenda's label to include younger obese children, following its FDA approval for adolescents aged 12 and older.

Weekly insulin shots (efsitora alfa) as effective as daily injections for type 1 and type 2 diabetes, according to two phase 3 trials. Efsitora showed similar blood sugar control and safety profiles to daily degludec insulin, with more hypoglycemic events in type 1 diabetics. Trials suggest efsitora simplifies insulin therapy and improves adherence.

Novo Nordisk's study shows liraglutide, a weight-loss drug, is effective and safe for children aged 6-12, with a 7.4% BMI reduction over a year. The company plans to seek FDA and EMA approval, aiming to be the first to offer obesity treatment for this age group. Side effects include nausea and quick weight regain post-treatment, but no growth or puberty issues were noted.

16 new weight-loss drugs expected by 2029 could expand the obesity treatment market to $200 billion by 2031, challenging Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly. Amgen and Pfizer are among companies testing drug candidates. New entrants may lower prices. Analysts predict significant acquisitions in the obesity sector targeting smaller drug developers.

Children receiving daily Saxenda injections reduced BMI by 5.8% on average in a 56-week trial, outperforming the placebo group by 7.4%. Novo Nordisk plans to seek FDA approval for Saxenda use in younger children, addressing the lack of obesity treatments for kids. The obesity drug market is expanding rapidly, with potential growth to $100 billion by 2030.

Eli Lilly's once-weekly insulin efsitora showed similar HbA1C reduction to daily insulin injections in type 1 and 2 diabetes patients, according to Phase III QWINT-2 and QWINT-5 trials presented at EASD 2024 and published in NEJM and Lancet.

A late-stage clinical trial showed liraglutide, similar to Ozempic, reduced BMI in kids ages 6-11 with obesity, with concerns about long-term safety and impact on growth. The trial included 82 children, with liraglutide resulting in a 5.8% average BMI reduction compared to a 1.6% increase in the placebo group. Novo Nordisk has applied to the FDA for approval of liraglutide for weight loss in this age group.

Novo Nordisk's experimental weight-loss pill amycretin showed safe and tolerable results in an early-stage trial, with participants losing up to 13.1% of their weight after 12 weeks, primarily experiencing mild-to-moderate gastrointestinal side effects.

Up to 16 new GLP-1 drugs could launch by 2029, capturing nearly a third of a $200B market by 2031, dominated by Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly. Competitors like Roche, Amgen, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Boehringer, Viking Therapeutics, and Structure Therapeutics may launch rival weight-loss drugs within 3-4 years. Novo Nordisk and Lilly are expected to retain 68% of weight-loss sales, but the market may see price declines of 10%-15% by 2027 due to competition.