Amgen’s MariTide, a potential new obesity treatment, showed promising weight loss in Phase 2 trials, but fell short of Wall Street expectations, causing a significant drop in AMGN stock price. The drug demonstrated up to 20% weight loss but lacked the 25% some analysts predicted.
AstraZeneca, through its exclusive licensing agreement with Eccogene, is advancing the development of ECC5004, a potential oral once-daily glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) for obesity treatment. Early data from clinical trials presented at ObesityWeek 2024 suggests ECC5004 exhibits a favorable safety profile, has the potential for once-daily dosing, and may be administered with or without food. This promising early data positions AstraZeneca to be a potential contender in the competitive weight loss market.
Bio-Path Holdings, Inc. (BPTH) stock is experiencing a significant surge today, driven by the company’s announcement of a therapeutic program for treating obesity and related metabolic diseases using its DNAbilize technology. Additionally, the company provided positive updates on its ongoing clinical trials for both leukemia and solid tumor treatments.
Novo Nordisk’s experimental weight-loss drug, monlunabant, showed promising results in a Phase 2 trial, but investors reacted negatively due to safety concerns and limited efficacy at higher doses. This news sent shares of Corbus Pharmaceuticals, a competitor developing a similar drug, plummeting by nearly 60%.
Eli Lilly’s launch of affordable single-dose vials of its obesity treatment Zepbound has sent shockwaves through the telehealth market, causing Hims & Hers stock to drop due to potential competition concerns. Zepbound’s competitive pricing and proven efficacy pose a challenge to Hims & Hers’ market share and profitability.
The FDA’s approval of Wegovy for reducing cardiovascular disease risk in Medicare beneficiaries with obesity has the potential to significantly impact healthcare access and costs. An estimated 3.6 million Medicare beneficiaries could gain access to the drug, representing approximately 7% of all Medicare enrollees. The expansion could lead to a significant increase in Part D spending, with estimates suggesting an additional $3 billion if 10% of eligible beneficiaries use Wegovy. However, the coverage expansion could also reduce the cost of proposed legislation to lift the Medicare ban on obesity medication coverage.
