An experimental weight-loss drug from Regeneron reduced muscle mass loss by 50% when used in combination with Novo Nordisk's semaglutide, compared to semaglutide alone, according to trial results presented at a medical meeting.
Novo Nordisk will pay up to $2.6 billion to license HRS-1596, an experimental oral obesity drug from China's Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals, marking the company's second major deal since a key investor meeting.
Novo Nordisk CEO Mike Doustdar told Reuters that oral weight-loss medications could represent up to half of the global obesity drug market by 2030, as the Danish drugmaker positions itself for a shift toward pill-based treatments alongside its injectable GLP-1 drugs.
Novo Nordisk announced it cut 13,000 jobs in the past year and outlined plans to diversify beyond obesity drugs with new pipeline assets and bolt-on acquisitions. CEO Mike Doustdar faced investor skepticism about pricing power and strategy ahead of patent expiries.
Novo Nordisk reported quarterly results that beat expectations and raised guidance, but shares fell as investors remained concerned about the company's path to sustainable growth amid increasing competition in the obesity drug market.
Novo Nordisk's experimental inflammation-targeting drug failed to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes in a closely watched large clinical trial, a setback for the drugmaker's growth prospects beyond obesity and diabetes.
India's drug regulator approved Novo Nordisk's obesity drug Wegovy for the treatment of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), a serious form of fatty liver disease, expanding the drug's approved uses beyond weight loss.
Novo Nordisk's stock price and earnings received a boost following less-negative news about the development of an oral version of its blockbuster weight loss drug Wegovy, marking progress in the company's efforts to create a pill formulation.
France's medicines regulator has imposed fines on Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly for their weight loss drug advertising campaigns, marking a significant regulatory action against the pharmaceutical giants' marketing practices.
