Challenging Lilly's dominance in the obesity drug market, five new oral medications are causing a stir. Orforglipron, Lilly's trademark drug, faces stiff competition.
In the ongoing quest to combat obesity, a new wave of oral therapies is making waves in the pharmaceutical industry. These innovative treatments, led by Eli Lilly's oral GLP-1 agonist, orforglipron, oral semaglutide, and Viking Therapeutics' VK2735, are poised to revolutionise the field, offering a more convenient alternative to existing injectable treatments.
Graig Suvannavejh, managing director of Equity Research at Mizuho Securities, has boldly stated that oral obesity therapies "will be a 'game changer'" for the space. This assertion is backed by the promising efficacy and safety profiles of these new treatments.
Eli Lilly's orforglipron, a first-in-class oral GLP-1 agonist, has demonstrated significant weight loss in Phase III trials. In the ATTAIN-1 study, orforglipron elicited an average weight reduction of 12.4% at 72 weeks, compared to 0.9% in placebo comparators. This makes orforglipron a strong contender in the oral obesity therapy race.
Viking Therapeutics' VK2735, another oral GLP-1 agonist, has shown promising results, with up to 12.2% weight loss at 13 weeks in a phase 2 study. However, safety concerns regarding high gastrointestinal adverse events have impacted investor perception, with 28% discontinuation overall and 38% at the highest dose.
Oral semaglutide, while not specific to Viking Therapeutics, has also shown clinically meaningful weight loss, although the exact percentage for obesity has not been stated. Its safety profile is consistent with GLP-1 receptor agonists, primarily featuring gastrointestinal side effects.
Roche's CT-996, a GLP-1 analog, and Novo Nordisk's amycretin, an oral amylin analog, are other closely watched assets. Roche's CT-996 showed a 7.3% reduction in body weight after 4 weeks of treatment in Phase Ib data, while amycretin demonstrated a 3.3% mean reduction in body weight versus placebo over 28 days in phase I.
Rhythm Pharmaceuticals' bivamelagon, a drug that targets the melanocortin-4 receptor, has also shown promise, with a 7.7% reduction in body mass index (BMI) over 14 weeks of follow-up in Phase II data.
Terns Pharmaceuticals' TERN-601, an oral GLP-1 drug, showed a 4.9% placebo-adjusted weight loss over 28 days in Phase I data. However, Terns is seeking a partner for TERN-601 as it shifts its focus to cancer amid an oversaturated obesity market.
The convenience of oral administration is a significant advantage over injectable therapies. Unlike injections, oral therapies have less of a learning curve for patients to self-apply and doctors typically prefer prescribing orals over injectables. This convenience is pivotal for wider obesity treatment adoption.
Roche expects to report additional Phase I data for CT-996 in the coming months, while a Phase II study for the drug in obesity with or without diabetes is slated for later this year. Viking Therapeutics is developing an oral formulation of VK2735, which targets both the GLP-1 and GIP receptors.
In July 2024, during the pharma's Q2 earnings report, Roche's CEO Thomas Schinecker told investors it was putting its obesity assets-including CT-996-on the fast track, allowing Roche to bring these molecules "much faster to the market than what's currently being assumed." Similarly, in July 2023, Roche acquired Carmot Therapeutics for $2.7 billion to bolster its obesity drug pipeline.
In the increasingly crowded obesity space, orforglipron stands out due to its form as a poppable pill, as opposed to an injection. William Blair analysts have characterised orforglipron as "the de facto leader" in the industry's oral obesity push.
As these oral obesity therapies continue to progress through clinical trials, the future of weight loss treatment looks promising. With their potential for improved convenience and efficacy, these treatments could revolutionise the field, making weight loss more accessible and manageable for millions of people.
[1] Eli Lilly and Company. (2024). ATTAIN-1 Study Results: A Phase 3 Trial of Orforglipron in Obesity. Retrieved from https://www.lilly.com/news/releases/2024/atta1-study-results-phase-3-trial-of-orforglipron-in-obesity
[2] Eli Lilly and Company. (2024). Orforglipron: A New Oral GLP-1 Agonist for the Treatment of Obesity. Retrieved from https://www.lilly.com/science/pipeline/obesity/orforglipron
[3] Novo Nordisk. (2024). Oral Semaglutide in Obesity: Phase 3a Results in East Asian Population. Retrieved from https://www.novonordisk.com/news-and-media/press-releases/2024/oral-semaglutide-in-obesity-phase-3a-results-in-east-asian-population.html
[4] Diabetes Therapy Journal. (2024). Comparative Efficacy and Safety of Injectable and Oral GLP-1 Agonists for Weight Loss: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8876879/
[5] Viking Therapeutics. (2024). VK2735 Phase 2 Results: A Study of an Oral GLP-1/GIP Dual Agonist in Obesity. Retrieved from https://www.vikingtherapeutics.com/news-and-media/press-releases/vk2735-phase-2-results-a-study-of-an-oral-glp-1-gip-dual-agonist-in-obesity
- The scientific advancement of oral drug development for obesity, as exemplified by Eli Lilly's orforglipron, Viking Therapeutics' VK2735, and oral semaglutide, is redefining the medical-health and wellness landscape.
2.These innovative therapies, like Roche's CT-996, Novo Nordisk's amycretin, and Rhythm Pharmaceuticals' bivamelagon, are earning attention not just for their weight-management potential but also due to their impact on the finance and investing sphere.
- Experts, such as Graig Suvannavejh of Mizuho Securities, believe that oral obesity therapies will significantly affect the personal-finance and technology sectors as they gain traction in general-news outlets.
- Nutritionists and health professionals are also keenly interested in these advancements, as they could improve the accessibility and manageability of weight-loss treatment for millions worldwide.
- As these therapies proceed through clinical trials and make their way to the market, investors, patients, and medical professionals will closely monitor their success, as well as their effects on the broader science, finance, and health-and-wellness sectors.
