Table of Contents
LONDON — Over 100 products are in active clinical development for obesity, and 66 biotech and pharma companies are involved in obesity clinical trials, according to a new GlobalData report.
“A record-high number of mechanisms of actions are being investigated, many of them seemingly very promising,” says GlobalData pharma analyst Costanza Alciati. “We are witnessing a revolution in the obesity space and there is a large enough patient population for multiple companies to share the market and try to address the global epidemic. GlobalData expects even more companies to join the race in the next months, and more investment being directed into this therapeutic area.”
The report “The State of the Biopharmaceutical Industry 2024 Edition (Mid-Year Update),” examines the business environment and trends that are going to shape the biopharmaceutical industry in the next 12 months. The study is based on a 10-minute survey completed by 124 GlobalData pharma clients and prospects from April 4 to May 10. Nearly one-fifth (18%) of respondents recognized obesity medications as the most impactful trend for the next 12 months.
“The introduction of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, such as semaglutide (Wegovy) and dual agonist tirzepatide (Mounjaro/Zepbound) in the obesity space represents a groundbreaking advancement in obesity treatment,” added Alciati. “Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy can facilitate up to 15% bodyweight reduction, while Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro demonstrated even greater efficacy, exceeding 20% reduction in bodyweight in trial subjects. These results almost match the effectiveness of bariatric surgery and are unheard of in the obesity space.”
According to GlobalData, 160 million people live with obesity across the seven major national markets, and the numbers will be growing at an annual rate of 0.57% in the next 10 years. Thus, the need for effective obesity medications will only increase in the next decade.
Alciati continues: “The market potential of obesity medications is undeniable. GLP-1 receptor agonists sales, for example, are expected to reach $125 billion in 2033, 90% of which will be from obesity drugs. Furthermore, major pharma companies are struggling to meet the patient demand, prompting increased investment in research and development from new entrants in the sector.”
Obesity is a multifactorial disease characterized by excess levels of body fat that can increase a patient’s risk of developing other serious health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and gastrointestinal disorders.
GlobalData is set to present a live webinar “The Impact of Obesity” on June 13 to discuss the socioeconomic impact of obesity, the current drug development trends in the space, and the manufacturing supply and shortages associated with GLP-1 receptor agonists medicines.
The event details and sign-up links are:
EMEA/US https://rb.gy/48ukwr
APAC https://rb.gy/kyba9i
