随着新型减肥药规模日益增长，越来越多的制药公司开始在这一赛道挑战两大业内巨头诺和诺德和礼来。

On Thursday local time (October 10), Adam Steensberg, CEO of the Danish pharmaceutical company Zealand, stated that compared to GLP-1 weight loss drugs, Zealand's weight loss drug currently in development has higher weight loss quality—less muscle loss and fewer side effects.

Zealand is currently developing two weight loss drugs, namely GLP-1/GLP-2 weight loss drug Dapiglutide and Amylin weight loss drug Petrelintide.

Dapiglutide类似于 $Novo-Nordisk A/S (NVO.US)$ and $Eli Lilly and Co (LLY.US)$ The weight loss drugs already launched, namely semaglutide and tirzepatide.

In contrast, Steensberg has high hopes for Petrelintide, referring to it as a "gem on the crown".

According to early trial data released in June this year, Petrelintide can result in an average weight loss of 8.6% for patients.

Amylin weight loss drug is a new type of weight loss therapy, working by increasing the feeling of satiety by mimicking hormones secreted together with insulin in the pancreas, unlike GLP-1, which suppresses appetite and regulates blood sugar by mimicking insulin produced in the intestines.

"These are two very different human body experiences, if you focus on the feeling of fullness, it will be a more pleasant experience. Therefore, once you accept it, you will be able to adhere to (accept) the treatment in the long term," Steensberg said when comparing the two weight-loss drugs.

In addition, Petrelintide has fewer side effects in helping patients with weight loss.

Steensberg said: "Our focus is on what is truly needed in the 2030s, or it can be said, this is the next generation of molecules not based on GLP-1."

"Miracle weight-loss drug" has different side effects that cannot be ignored.

Although the drugs from Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have been effective in weight loss, the side effects they bring cannot be ignored, including significant muscle loss and increased suicidal thoughts.

Clinical data shows that weight loss in patients using Lilly drugs is 25% from lean body mass (including muscles), while Novo Nordisk's weight-loss drugs reach 40% in this aspect. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that patients using GLP-1 drugs for weight loss should combine them with diet and exercise.

American pharmaceutical company $Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (REGN.US)$ (Regeneron) warned that if the issue of muscle loss is not addressed, GLP-1 weight loss drugs may have more drawbacks than benefits. Regeneron is also developing weight loss drugs that can overcome this deficiency.

Nevertheless, the need for emerging weight-loss drugs is rapidly increasing. Analysts predict that by 2030, the value of this industry could reach as high as $200 billion.

Barclays' Pharmaceutical Stocks Research Director Emily Field stated that as pharmaceutical companies target different niche markets, the weight loss market may become more fragmented. She pointed out that combating muscle loss could be one of the race tracks.

However, Field also mentioned that given Zealand's scale and business scope, it would be difficult to achieve this alone.

In fact, Zealand is currently seeking a global pharmaceutical company to collaborate with. However, Steensberg also emphasized that Zealand will not accept acquisition.

Editor/Rocky