Obesity drug boom has a new pecking order

This year, 26 drugs with packaging in a foreign language and a leaflet in Portuguese have already been authorized for sale, with 94 in 2024. Infarmed says it's a form of mitigation.

Initially, they were prescribed to patients with diabetes of the second type, as they reduce blood glucose levels. However, it soon turned out that they suppress appetite and it is quite easy to lose weight with them. Semaglutide, sold as Ozempic or Wegovy, mimics the hormone GLP-1, which is released in the gut after eating and works to suppress the feeling of hunger in the brain.Tirzepatide, shipped under the trade names Zepbound or Mounjaro, i…

Obesity drug boom has a new pecking order

Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly dominate the weight-loss market. Yet the Danish firm’s valuation multiple is less than half that of its $815 bln peer following the US group’s success. And increasing competition from rivals like Roche mean Novo’s valuation may be slimmed down further.