Pioneering solutions for obesity and type 2 diabetes

As the quest for the ultimate solution to type 2 diabetes heats up, GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) agonists have emerged as game-changing treatments, revolutionising the management of type 2 diabetes and obesity. Brands such as Ozempic®, Mounjaro®, and Wegovy® are generating significant buzz, offering patients renewed hope for better glycaemic control and weight loss.

Pharmaceutical giants Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk are at the forefront of these innovative therapies. According to JP Morgan’s research, by 2030, 9% of the US population could be using a GLP-1 agonist, potentially driving the market to over $100 billion. The increasing prevalence of these diseases, combined with the introduction of new treatments, has spurred rapid growth in the GLP-1 market, capturing the interest of many stakeholders.

The development of GIP and GLP-1 agonists for type 2 diabetes and obesity has garnered significant attention within the pharmaceutical industry. Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk have carved out distinctive brands to address these health issues, with type 2 diabetes currently commanding a larger market share.

Novo Nordisk has developed several GLP-1 agonists using semaglutide as the active ingredient. After the FDA approved Ozempic® for type 2 diabetes treatment in 2017, it swiftly became a market leader, generating over $14 billion in sales by 2023. This medication was also repackaged and marketed as Wegovy® for obesity management. Novo Nordisk expanded its offerings further by introducing Rybelsus® in 2019, the first approved oral GLP-1 agonist for type 2 diabetes.

Eli Lilly has created a series of GLP-1 agonists with tirzepatide as the active ingredient. Unlike semaglutide, tirzepatide offers a dual-action approach, acting as both a GIP and GLP-1 agonist. Building on the success of Trulicity® (dulaglutide), Eli Lilly launched Mounjaro® in 2022 for type 2 diabetes management. Research indicates that tirzepatide’s dual-action response may provide superior glycaemic control and more significant weight loss. Eli Lilly continued its innovation with the approval of Zepbound® in late 2023 for obesity management.

The future of GLP-1 agonists is promising, with Pfizer in the late stages of developing an oral GLP-1 agonist. Concurrently, Amgen is exploring a novel approach with a GLP-1 agonist that specifically inhibits GIP receptors.

With the rising prevalence of obesity, the GLP-1 market holds substantial potential. The World Obesity Federation estimates that by 2035, one in four individuals will be obese, and another one in four will be overweight. This surge will significantly impact healthcare costs, with the global economic burden projected to exceed $4 trillion annually. This expenditure is comparable to the financial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, underscoring the vast market opportunity for pharmaceutical companies.

JP Morgan’s study predicts that by 2030, 9% of the US population will use GLP-1 agonists, driving the market to surpass $100 billion.

The effectiveness of GLP-1 agonists in addressing obesity has brought this issue into the spotlight. High-profile endorsements from figures like Elon Musk and Oprah Winfrey have increased the popularity of these weight-loss medications in the United States. However, the limited availability of Wegovy® has led doctors to prescribe Ozempic® off-label for weight loss, creating challenges for type 2 diabetes patients worldwide.

In response to the growing demand, Novo Nordisk announced an 80% increase in their investment in Wegovy® production for 2024, amounting to $6.5 billion. As stakeholders aim to tap into the potential $100 billion market, this investment highlights the impact of GLP-1 agonists on the weight management industry and the importance of ensuring their accessibility.

The rise of obesity and its link to type 2 diabetes has driven a significant shift in the pharmaceutical landscape, with GIP and GLP-1 agonists offering a promising solution. However, the growing demand for these medications, especially for weight management, has led to supply and accessibility challenges, as seen with the Wegovy® shortage. As the industry strives to meet the needs of a burgeoning population affected by obesity and type 2 diabetes, continued investment and innovation will be vital to ensuring the availability and affordability of these life-changing therapies for all who need them.

Tern plc (LON:TERN) backs exciting, high growth IoT innovators in Europe. They provide support and create a genuinely collaborative environment for talented, well-motivated teams. The Talking Medicines mission is to be the World’s Gold Standard for Patient Intelligence by Medicine.

Click to view all articles for the EPIC:
Or click to view the full company profile:
Facebook
X
LinkedIn
Tern plc

More articles like this

FundamentalVR announces groundbreaking AI integration in surgical training

FundamentalVR, a global leader in immersive surgical training, has made significant advancements in its Fundamental Surgery platform by integrating cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. These enhancements aim to drive predictive insights, improve surgical proficiency, and accelerate

Tern plc

Developing and maintaining Identity and Access Management policies

Safeguarding your business’s digital assets while providing appropriate access levels is crucial. Identity and Access Management (IAM) policies play a vital role in organisational security, ensuring that only authorised individuals have access to critical systems and

Tern plc

AI is revolutionising healthcare strategies

In the dynamic landscape of healthcare, the continuous evolution of drug development and patient engagement necessitates ongoing innovation. Recently, GLP-1 drugs have garnered considerable attention for their revolutionary impact on treating various medical conditions, including weight

Tern plc

Understanding Identity Access Management solutions

Identity Access Management (IAM) solutions play a critical role in minimising cyber and data governance risks by tracking and restricting access to digital systems. Fundamentally, IAM solutions capture and log user login information, manage the database

Tern plc

Device Authority welcomes new VP of Customer Success

Device Authority, a recognised global leader in Identity and Access Management (IAM) for Enterprise IoT ecosystems, has announced the addition of Steve Huehmer, an experienced Customer Success expert, to their team. Steve Huehmer, based in Boston,

Revolutionising global IoT connectivity

Tern plc (LON:TERN) backs exciting, high growth IoT innovators in Europe. They provide support and create a genuinely collaborative environment for talented, well-motivated teams. Wyld Networks is uniquely placed to deliver fixed and mobile mesh technology

Tern plc

Tern’s FY23 results show promising metrics and strategic growth

Tern’s FY23 results showcase improving metrics that are likely to attract additional strategic interest across its portfolio. All companies within Tern’s portfolio are experiencing significant commercial traction. Configuration work is transitioning to repeat licencing through SaaS

Tern plc

The impact of data-driven healthcare on patient care

Empirical evidence has long driven healthcare innovation, but the rapid deployment of digital solutions is generating vast quantities of data, offering new opportunities for data-driven patient care. Digital healthcare encompasses various technologies, including mobile health apps,

Tern plc

Accelerating IoT adoption

The excitement surrounding the Internet of Things (IoT) has driven significant growth in its adoption, with connected devices rising from 8.6 billion in 2019 to 15.4 billion by 2023, and projections of nearly 30 billion by

Tern plc

NIS 2 Directive in the European Union

In today’s interconnected world, the Internet of Things (IoT) plays a crucial role in various sectors, from healthcare and transportation to energy and critical infrastructure. However, with the increasing reliance on IoT devices comes the heightened