As Novo Nordisk A/S and Eli Lilly and Co. go head-to-head in the U.S. and Chinese glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) market for diabetes and obesity, Novo Nordisk is in innovator gear once more with leading studies of GLP-1s in Alzheimer’s disease.
Incretins are not just metabolic hormones that regulate glucose levels after eating. Their functions go beyond stimulating the release of insulin from the pancreas. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), the two main incretins, have receptors and effects in different organs, including the heart, brain, bone and kidneys. Even if they do not directly play those keys, other organs such as the liver and muscle receive signals from the same score and join the orchestra.
Chinese pharmaceutical and biotech companies are leading development of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists as Novo Nordisk A/S and Eli Lilly and Co. edge closer to launching blockbuster therapies in China. At the heart of the GLP-1 boom is a nationwide obesity problem driven by a confluence of factors, including the rise of a modern, sedentary lifestyle, according to Clarivate. Despite the rising prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes, the gap in obesity therapeutics is “substantial and leaves a solid market opportunity for weight loss drugs,” Karan Verma, principal analyst of healthcare research & data analytics at Clarivate, said.
Dexcom Inc. revealed data from several studies showing significant benefits of its continuous glucose monitoring technology on adults with type 2 diabetes who are not treated with insulin. In one study, 100% of these users made dietary changes after starting to use Dexcom CGM, with 91% feeling empowered to manage their condition and 27% improving medication adherence after six months.
Researchers at Klick Labs Inc. reported using a person’s voice to predict chronic hypertension with a high degree of accuracy. Data published in IEEE Access, found the potential for advancing early detection of chronic high blood pressure, showcasing another novel way to harness vocal biomarkers for better health outcomes.
Two leading glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists for obesity and type 2 diabetes – Novo Nordisk A/S’s semaglutide (Wegovy/Ozempic) and Eli Lilly and Co.’s tirzepatide (Mounjaro/Zepbound) – are advancing in China after taking the U.S. market by storm. China represents the world’s largest population of diabetes and obesity patients. Its GLP-1 market, valued at about $1.7 billion in 2023 according to Clarivate, is expected to grow as the number of obesity patients is projected to exceed 500 million by 2033.
With Novo Nordisk A/S hobbled by a complete response letter, Eli Lilly and Co. has forged ahead in developing a once-weekly type 2 diabetes treatment. Top-line data from Lilly’s phase III Qwint-1 and Qwint-3 studies of efsitora alfa showed noninferior average levels of blood glucose, A1C, compared to those using another daily basal insulin treatment.
Insulet Corp.’s Omnipod 5 automated insulin delivery system has been cleared by the US FDA for the indication of type 2 diabetes, making it the first automated insulin delivery system cleared for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes management.
The long struggle by Boston-based I2o Therapeutics Inc.’s business unit Intarcia Therapeutics to get long-lasting exenatide for diabetes onto the market ended with a final thumbs-down from the U.S. FDA because of safety concerns. At issue was ITCA-650, a twice-yearly implantable exenatide-device combo meant to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes.
