Novo Nordisk and Pfizer Report Oral Weight-Loss Drugs Match Injections in Efficacy

Intelligent Finance APP learned that the data respectively released by Novo Nordisk (NVO.US) and Pfizer (PFE.US) on Monday showed that the effects of their oral weight-loss drugs were comparable to injectable medications. Novo Nordisk stated that data from a late-stage trial indicated its oral Semaglutide could help overweight or obese adults lose weight, with effects comparable to Wegovy injections, which contain the same active ingredient. Data from a mid-term trial showed that Pfizer's oral weight-loss drug Danuglipron might be as effective as Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic injections (whose main active ingredient is also Semaglutide).

Since Wegovy was launched in the U.S. in June 2021, Novo Nordisk has transformed the weight-loss market, capturing global attention from patients, investors, and celebrities alike.

Industry executives and analysts said that the huge demand for weight-loss therapies such as Wegovy could support as many as 10 competing products, with annual sales reaching $100 billion within a decade, primarily in the United States.

Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Louise Chen said, "This pie is getting bigger, and Pfizer should get a big slice of it."

BMO Capital Markets analyst Evan Seigerman said that the efficacy of Eli Lilly's (LLY.US) injectable drug Mounjaro appears to be superior to two oral medications. Nevertheless, he noted that primary care physicians may prefer to prescribe oral drugs over injections, which could potentially expand the overall market.

Novo Nordisk to Submit Applications in the U.S. and Europe

Novo Nordisk says results of its oral weight-loss drug are statistically significant, showing better weight-loss effects than a placebo.

This Danish pharmaceutical manufacturer stated that it is expected to apply for approval of the 50-milligram semaglutide tablet in the United States and Europe this year, but its market launch will depend on product portfolio priorities and production capacity.

Novo Nordisk stated that in a study of 667 obese and overweight adults, those who adhered to the treatment lost an average of 17.4% of their body weight after 68 weeks, compared to only 1.8% for those taking a placebo. Those who did not fully adhere to the treatment regimen lost 15.1% of their body weight.

Jefferies analysts said that the annual sales of this 50-milligram drug could increase to $8 billion.

Novo Nordisk has been facing supply issues, struggling to meet the surging demand for Wegovy in the United States. The lowest dose of the once-weekly Wegovy injection contains only 2.4 milligrams of semaglutide.

A Novo Nordisk spokesperson declined to comment on the production capacity of oral weight-loss drugs, but the company is prioritizing the supply of Wegovy in the United States over launching the product in new markets. The U.S. is by far the most profitable prescription drug market.