Source: Wall Street See

$Novo-Nordisk A/S (NVO.US)$ The revolutionary weight loss therapy CagriSema is about to be launched!

According to the media reports, Novo Nordisk is shifting its focus to developing a new GLP-1 class drug named CagriSema in order to maintain its leading position in the weight loss drug market. It is expected to achieve at least a 25% weight loss effect, without the additional side effects compared to the previous generation weight loss drug Wegovy.

Novo Nordisk stated that CagriSema will effectively address the issue of weight rebound after medication cessation, becoming the most effective weight loss drug so far, while its efficacy for type 2 diabetes is still under exploration.

A new weight loss therapy is coming, will the market face a huge change?

As a GLP-1 class drug, the previous generation weight loss drug Wegovy from novo-nordisk a/s works by mimicking the GLP-1 hormone naturally produced by the body after eating.$Eli Lilly and Co (LLY.US)$The popular weight loss drug Zepbound (also known as Mounjaro) also targets GLP-1, but additionally includes a second hormone, GIP.

In order to keep up with this pace, Novo Nordisk's upcoming CagriSema will also combine two intestinal hormones: a long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist semaglutide and a long-acting Amylin (amylin) analogue Cagrilintide.

Matthias Tschöp, CEO of Helmholtz Munich Research Institute and one of the scientists based on multi-receptor therapy foundation, stated that patients taking this dual-action drug generally achieve greater weight loss than those taking GLP-1 alone, without experiencing more side effects.

Tschöp explained that the reason for the need to introduce more effective weight loss drugs is considering that for obese patients with a large base, a weight loss of 15% to 20% is still not enough to get them out of the obese state.

Moreover, there is ample evidence to indicate that GLP-1 drugs can cause gastrointestinal side effects including but not limited to nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, hence major pharmaceutical companies are also seeking alternative options with fewer complications.

It is reported that insulin is a hormone related to hunger and fullness, and CagriSema aims to provide better weight loss and blood sugar reduction effects by combining these two components.

Will the return of the king be difficult to regain its glory? The launch of CagriSema still under pressure.

Currently, although novo-nordisk a/s dominates the market share in the weight loss drug market, it is at a disadvantage in terms of weight loss effectiveness.

It is reported that at the highest dose efficacy, eli lilly and co's Zepbound can achieve approximately a 21% weight loss effect, while novo-nordisk a/s's Wegovy can only achieve approximately a 15% efficacy.

Therefore, some believe that if CagriSema can really achieve a 25% weight loss effect, it will give novo-nordisk a/s a key advantage in the weight loss drug market.

However, due to eli lilly and co's Zepbound's market performance falling below expectations, it may bring pressure to novo-nordisk a/s. Last week, affected by poor Zepbound sales, eli lilly and co's Q3 revenue and profits were below expectations, the company also revised down full-year financial guidance, causing the stock price to plummet by 12% at one point.

In addition, CagriSema also faces obstacles to production.

Gareth Powell, Medical Care Director at Polar Capital, pointed out that compounds like CagriSema, which combine insulin and GLP-1, require a large amount of drug ingredients for production, hence may not be very attractive.

Additionally, reportedly, due to the need for the two drug components of CagriSema to remain separate before injection, novo-nordisk a/s also needs to develop an injection pen with a dual-lumen design, leading to a more complex production process and higher costs.

Insulin as a new generation target for weight loss drugs.

As mentioned earlier, novo-nordisk a/s's new generation weight loss drug CagriSema has incorporated the insulin analogue Cagrilintide for better weight loss effects.

Chief Medical Officer Henrik Sillesen from Health Analysis Company Airfinity Ltd. pointed out that after GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon-like peptide-1, insulin has become the next important target actively explored in the weight loss field.

Adam Steensberg, CEO of Zealand, also stated that taking insulin is gentler than GLP-1 drugs, and GLP-1 drugs may suppress patient appetite, while insulin helps patients maintain a feeling of fullness for a longer period of time.

Insulin also offers the hope of new solutions for the nausea, vomiting, and other side effects brought by previous weight loss drugs.

Thomas Lutz, a professor at the University of Zurich who has been engaged in insulin research for a long time, pointed out that previous studies have shown that pancreatic amyloid peptides and GLP-1 may act on different key targets in the brain - indicating a lower possibility of insulin causing side effects such as nausea.

Barclays analyst Emily Field commented:

"It's almost like insulin combining with any substance could have the potential of one plus one equals three."

"If the trial progresses smoothly, it is expected that CagriSema will enter the market in 2026."

Editor / jayden