Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Zepbound — we remember them as "skinny shots." But from the anti-aging world's angle, the story gets far more remarkable. This group of GLP-1 drugs is the closest thing humans have ever had to a provable "healthspan drug" — not because it's marketed as anti-aging, but because large trials found that a single drug lowers the risk of several diseases of old age at once: heart, kidney, liver, even sleep. This lesson tells that story through the longevity lens — and it'll be honest that it's not yet a miracle drug.
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Theme index· base 100 · USD total return
Why is GLP-1 Healthspan Proxies moving?
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Lilly's new data and Medicare coverage widen its GLP-1 lead
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Lilly's next-gen obesity drugs show best-in-class results Lilly's retatrutide helped patients lose 20.8% of body weight in a Phase 3 trial, and its oral pill Foundayo cut heart risks and blood sugar in a large diabetes study. These advances strengthen the pipeline of better GLP-1 treatments, a plus for the theme.
Shows the technology pipeline driving the theme forward.
Muscle-preserving drug combo tackles GLP-1 side effect Regeneron's trevogrumab preserved about 70% of muscle that would otherwise be lost with semaglutide, addressing a major concern that GLP-1 drugs weaken muscles. This opens a new sub-area of healthspan proxies that make GLP-1 therapy safer and more sustainable.
Highlights a new healthspan-focused solution to a key GLP-1 drawback.
Medicare coverage and strong demand boost GLP-1 sales Lilly's revenue jumped 48% as Medicare now covers Foundayo or Zepbound for $50 a month, potentially reaching 20 million patients. This expands access and demand, a clear positive for the theme.
Shows a major demand catalyst from policy and sales growth.
Competition intensifies as Novo falls behind Lilly Lilly's Zepbound beat Novo's high-dose Wegovy on weight loss, and Novo's CagriSema missed a key goal versus Lilly's drug. Novo raised its outlook but expects flat to down profit, while a new Chinese rival also posted strong results. This competition pressures Novo but validates the theme's growth.
Captures the competitive dynamics shaping the theme.
3SBio Signs MindRank AI Deal to Commercialize Oral GLP-1 Obesity Drug MDR-001
3SBio subsidiaries Zhejiang Sunshine Mandi and Zhejiang Wansheng have signed an agreement with MindRank AI to commercialize MDR-001, an oral GLP-1 candidate in Phase 3 obesity trials. The deal lands as 3SBio shares trade at HK$15.07, with a 1-year total shareholder return down 45.58 percent, a 30-day share price return down 6.69 percent and a year-to-date share price return down 38.69 percent, even as the 3-year total shareholder return is up more than 2x. On valuation, 3SBio trades at a P/E of 3.9x against a Hong Kong Biotechs industry average of 17.3x and a peer group average of 36.2x, with an estimated fair P/E of 8.2x. A discounted cash flow model puts 3SBio's estimated future cash flow value at HK$33.62 versus the current HK$15.07 share price. Recent declines in revenue and net income, combined with the weak 1-year return, could pressure sentiment if MDR-001 progress disappoints.
Biotech & Genomic Medicine › Metabolic, Diabetes & Obesity ▲Technology
Longevity & Life Extension › GLP-1 Healthspan Proxies Technology
1530.HK · Demand · Positive 3SBio subsidiaries signed a deal with MindRank AI to commercialize the Phase 3 oral GLP-1 obesity candidate MDR-001, expanding its obesity drug pipeline.
MindRank AI Ltd · Demand · Positive MindRank AI signed the agreement with 3SBio to commercialize its oral GLP-1 candidate MDR-001.
603010.CG · Demand · Positive Zhejiang Wansheng is named as a 3SBio subsidiary signing the agreement to commercialize MDR-001.
Zhejiang Sansheng Wandi Pharmaceutical · Demand · Positive Zhejiang Sunshine Mandi is named as a 3SBio subsidiary signing the agreement to commercialize MDR-001.
Eli Lilly's Taltz Plus Zepbound Shows Added Psoriasis and Metabolic Benefit in Phase 3b Trial
An exploratory analysis of Eli Lilly's ongoing phase 3b TOGETHER-PsO trial indicates that combining Taltz, or ixekizumab, with Zepbound, or tirzepatide, may improve both psoriasis and metabolic outcomes compared with Taltz alone. The trial enrolled patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis who were obese or overweight and who had at least one additional weight-related comorbid condition, randomizing them to receive Taltz plus Zepbound or Taltz alone. At week 36, participants who took the two treatments together saw better changes in psoriasis-specific, immune, and metabolic biomarkers than those in the Taltz monotherapy group, with changes noted in more psoriasis disease-associated and metabolic biomarkers. The trial's primary endpoint is the proportion of participants achieving both Psoriasis Area and Severity Index 100 and at least 10% weight reduction at week 36. Lilly noted that in the US, approximately 61% of individuals with psoriasis also have obesity or are overweight with at least one weight-related comorbidity.
Novo Nordisk Raises 2026 Outlook, Targets Peer-Level Growth Through 2030
Novo Nordisk raised its 2026 outlook while telling investors at a London strategy day that it aims to grow revenue through 2030 at roughly the pace of large drugmaker peers. In the second quarter of 2026, adjusted sales rose 7% at constant exchange rates and adjusted operating profit rose 11%, though reported operating profit fell 16%, dragged down by a DKK 6.3 billion non-cash impairment on pipeline assets and by a year-ago rebate reversal. The raised 2026 outlook now puts adjusted sales and operating profit between flat and down 6% at constant exchange rates, while the longer view promises more than five multi-blockbuster launches by 2030, over DKK 150 billion in pipeline sales in 2035, and revenue growth in line with peers from 2026 to 2030, which management stressed are ambitions rather than guidance. The company's Wegovy pill topped 265,000 weekly prescriptions in a single week this summer and total prescriptions have passed 5 million since launch, but Eli Lilly's Mounjaro and Zepbound have overtaken Ozempic and Wegovy in the US, and Novo's next-generation shot CagriSema missed its goal of proving it was not inferior to Lilly's tirzepatide. At a forward P/E of 10.97 as of October 6, against 18.77 for the sector and a five-year average of 27.91, Novo trades well below peers, with 59 hedge funds holding the stock in the most recent quarter, up from 55, and short interest at just 0.83% of the float.
Biotech & Genomic Medicine › Metabolic, Diabetes & Obesity Competition
Aging Population › Chronic-Disease Pharma Franchises Competition
Longevity & Life Extension › GLP-1 Healthspan Proxies Competition
NVO · Capital · Neutral Novo raised its 2026 outlook and reported Q2 adjusted sales +7% and operating profit +11%, but reported operating profit fell 16% on a DKK 6.3bn impairment and the outlook still implies flat-to-down adjusted sales/profit.
NVO · Competition · Negative Eli Lilly's Mounjaro and Zepbound have overtaken Ozempic and Wegovy in the US, and Novo's next-gen CagriSema missed its non-inferiority goal versus Lilly's tirzepatide.
LLY · Competition · Positive Eli Lilly's Mounjaro and Zepbound have overtaken Ozempic and Wegovy in the US, and CagriSema missed its non-inferiority goal versus Lilly's tirzepatide.
Eli Lilly Trades at 30.94 Times Forward Earnings Despite 48% Revenue Growth
Eli Lilly reported 48% revenue growth for the second quarter of 2026 and raised its full-year outlook, yet the stock trades at 30.94 times forward earnings, well below its five-year average of 45.59. Mounjaro brought in $9.9 billion in the quarter, up 91%, and Zepbound added $4.9 billion, up 46%, while non-GAAP gross margin reached 86.3% and revenue outside the US rose 80% to $8.6 billion. The once-daily weight-loss pill Foundayo booked $98 million in its first quarter of sales, and Medicare's new coverage pathway now lets eligible patients get Foundayo or Zepbound for $50 a month, with Lilly estimating about 20 million Medicare patients may meet the clinical criteria. Management lifted 2026 revenue guidance to between $85 billion and $87 billion from $82 billion to $85 billion, and plans to file retatrutide with the FDA in the first quarter of 2027. Growth was volume-led, with volume up 60% against a 13% decline in realized prices, and second-quarter EPS of $8.38 absorbed $3.03 per share of acquired research charges, while reported EPS was $7.94 and full-year guidance stands at $35.50 to $36.50.
Biotech & Genomic Medicine › Metabolic, Diabetes & Obesity ▲Demand
Aging Population › Chronic-Disease Pharma Franchises ▲Demand
Longevity & Life Extension › GLP-1 Healthspan Proxies ▲Demand
LLY · Capital · Positive Lilly reported 48% Q2 revenue growth, 86.3% gross margin, and raised full-year 2026 revenue guidance to $85-87B.
LLY · Demand · Positive Mounjaro sales rose 91% to $9.9B, Zepbound rose 46% to $4.9B, and Medicare's new coverage pathway opens Foundayo/Zepbound to ~20M eligible patients.
Eli Lilly Consensus Estimates Rise as Zacks Rank Holds at #3
Eli Lilly is expected to post earnings of $9.83 per share for the current quarter, a year-over-year change of +40%, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate edging up +0.1% over the last 30 days. For the current fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $36.64 points to a change of +51.3% from the prior year and has risen +0.3% over the past month, while the next fiscal year's consensus estimate of $46.8 indicates a change of +27.7% and has moved +1.4% higher. On the revenue side, the consensus sales estimate of $22.14 billion for the current quarter points to a year-over-year change of +25.8%, with the $88.88 billion and $102.02 billion estimates for the current and next fiscal years indicating changes of +36.4% and +14.8%, respectively. In the last reported quarter, Lilly posted revenues of $22.97 billion, up +47.7% year over year, and EPS of $8.38 versus $6.31 a year ago, beating the Zacks Consensus revenue estimate of $20.26 billion by +13.38% and the EPS estimate by +39.43%. The size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, has resulted in a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for Lilly, and the stock is graded D on the Zacks Value Style Score, indicating it trades at a premium to its peers.
Aging Population › Chronic-Disease Pharma Franchises ▲Capital
Longevity & Life Extension › GLP-1 Healthspan Proxies Capital
Biotech & Genomic Medicine › Metabolic, Diabetes & Obesity ▲Capital
LLY · Capital · Positive Consensus earnings and revenue estimates for Eli Lilly rose, with current-quarter EPS seen up 40% YoY and full-year EPS up 51.3%.
Novo Nordisk Gets FDA Review Update on Denecimig as New CagriSema Data Land
Novo Nordisk reported an FDA review update for its haemophilia A therapy denecimig, including manufacturing-related feedback, in October 2026. The FDA has kept the denecimig review open without giving a new action date, flagging manufacturing issues rather than problems with the FRONTIER efficacy or safety data, though Novo Nordisk says the extended review does not change its 2026 financial outlook. The pharmaceutical group also presented new CagriSema data on brain and metabolic pathway effects in obesity and diabetes at EASD 2026, alongside real-world evidence comparing clinical outcomes for semaglutide with tirzepatide in everyday practice. Novo Nordisk, a US based pharmaceuticals group with a market value of about DKK1.1 trillion, focuses on treatments for chronic conditions such as diabetes, obesity and blood disorders. The key signposts ahead are the EMA decision following the positive CHMP opinion for denecimig and the US FDA decision on the CagriSema obesity filing expected in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Biotech & Genomic Medicine › Metabolic, Diabetes & Obesity ▲Regulation
Longevity & Life Extension › GLP-1 Healthspan Proxies Regulation
NVO · Regulation · Neutral FDA kept the denecimig haemophilia A review open, flagging manufacturing issues with no new action date, though efficacy/safety data were not the problem.
NVO · Technology · Positive New CagriSema data on brain and metabolic pathway effects in obesity and diabetes were presented at EASD 2026, alongside positive CHMP opinion for denecimig.
Citi cuts Novo Nordisk price target to 296 crowns on flat margin outlook
Citi Research lowered its price target on Novo Nordisk to 296 Danish crowns from 310, citing company guidance for broadly stable margins through 2030 that leaves little room for margin growth. The rating was kept at neutral. The guidance, driven by research and development spending, came at Novo's recent capital markets day, prompting Citi to cut its adjusted operating profit forecasts for 2028 to 2030 by 2% to 4%. Citi's target now assumes Novo trades at 14 times 2027 earnings, down from 15 times, and the analysts cut their expected 2027-2030 annual earnings-per-share growth rate to 9% from 12%. Citi raised its 2026 and 2027 adjusted operating profit forecasts by 2% to 3% on higher expected sales of Novo's Wegovy pill outside the United States and U.S. prescription trends for Ozempic, and lifted its adjusted sales forecasts by 3% for 2026 and 1% for 2027. At the capital markets day, Novo said improved manufacturing capacity means it intends to launch the Wegovy pill in at least 20 countries by the end of 2027, covering two-thirds of the obesity market it currently serves, and Citi raised its peak sales forecast for the pill to $13 billion from $10 billion, pointing to its UK launch where 1 million packs have been distributed since July. Ahead of Novo's third-quarter results on Nov. 4, Citi forecast sales 1% above consensus and Wegovy pill sales 16% above it at kr5.3 billion against the consensus kr4.5 billion, with adjusted operating profit in line with consensus because of lower margins from higher R&D spending. Citi forecast third-quarter sales of kr73.5 billion, down 4% at constant currency, citing a roughly kr3 billion rebate-adjustment and stocking benefit in the year-earlier quarter, continued prescription and price declines for U.S. Ozempic, generic launches in Canada and Brazil, and price declines for injectable Wegovy, and said prescription data showed no real impact from Medicare eligibility for GLP-1 drugs. It forecast adjusted operating profit up 18% at constant currency, or down about 15% excluding kr9 billion in year-earlier restructuring charges, and IFRS earnings per share of kr4.15, down 8% from a year earlier mainly on an impairment after the failure of ziltivekimab in the ZEUS trial. Citi said a Wegovy pill beat would be welcome but poor visibility on injectable Wegovy pricing and growing long-term threats from competitors were likely to keep many on the sidelines, naming Lilly's retatrutide and eloralintide, Roche's enicepatide, PFE's MET-097i and AZN's elecoglipron.
Biotech & Genomic Medicine › Metabolic, Diabetes & Obesity ▼Pricing
Aging Population › Chronic-Disease Pharma Franchises ▼Pricing
Longevity & Life Extension › GLP-1 Healthspan Proxies ▼Pricing
NVO · Capital · Negative Citi cut its Novo Nordisk price target to 296 crowns and lowered 2028-2030 operating profit and EPS growth forecasts on flat margin guidance.
Lepu Medical Subsidiary's MWN117 Injection Receives US FDA Clinical Trial Approval
Lepu Medical announced that its controlling subsidiary, Shanghai Minwei Biotechnology, has received a notice from the US FDA agreeing to allow clinical trials for the MWN117 injection. The drug is an siRNA therapy targeting INHBE inhibition, indicated for overweight and obesity, and has already received clinical trial approval from China's CDE. Non-clinical studies show that the drug, used alone or in combination with GLP-1 receptor agonists, effectively reduces body weight and body fat while reducing muscle loss, with efficacy lasting up to 12 weeks. Currently, no similar drug has been approved for marketing domestically or internationally.
Biotech & Genomic Medicine › RNA Therapeutics ▲Regulation
Biotech & Genomic Medicine › RNAi / Antisense Oligonucleotides ▲Regulation
Biotech & Genomic Medicine › Metabolic, Diabetes & Obesity Regulation
Longevity & Life Extension › GLP-1 Healthspan Proxies Regulation
300003.CS · Technology · Positive Lepu Medical's subsidiary received US FDA clinical trial approval for its siRNA obesity drug MWN117, advancing its R&D pipeline.
上海民为生物技术有限公司 · Technology · Positive Shanghai Minwei Biotechnology, the controlling subsidiary, received FDA clinical trial approval for its INHBE-targeting siRNA obesity therapy MWN117.
Yipinhong Subsidiary's APH04935 Tablets Receive FDA Approval to Conduct Clinical Trials
Yipinhong announced on October 8 that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Guangzhou Yipinhong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., received a letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approving the subsidiary's independently developed innovative drug APH04935 tablets to proceed with clinical trials. The announcement shows that APH04935 tablets are a highly active, highly selective small-molecule GLP-1R agonist, intended to become a once-daily oral small-molecule GLP-1R agonist for weight control and long-term weight management. In mid-2026, Yipinhong achieved revenue of 492 million yuan and net profit attributable to the parent of 485 million yuan.
Biotech & Genomic Medicine › Metabolic, Diabetes & Obesity ▲Technology
Longevity & Life Extension › GLP-1 Healthspan Proxies Technology
300723.CS · Technology · Positive FDA approved its subsidiary's APH04935 GLP-1R agonist tablets to proceed with clinical trials, advancing its drug pipeline.
ZhongSheng Pharmaceutical's RAY1225 Meets Primary Endpoint in Phase III Weight-Loss Trial
ZhongSheng Pharmaceutical announced that its controlling subsidiary ZhongSheng Ruichuang has obtained top-line analysis data from the Phase III clinical trial, REBUILDING-2, of its independently developed Class 1 innovative peptide drug RAY1225 injection in overweight or obese participants, meeting the primary endpoint. Results showed that the 9 mg group of RAY1225 injection achieved a 22.24 percent reduction in body weight from baseline, or 20.46 percent after placebo adjustment, with weight-loss response rates and improvements in cardiometabolic indicators significantly better than placebo, and a favorable safety profile. The company cautioned that complete results are subject to the final clinical study report, and that drug approval remains uncertain.
Biotech & Genomic Medicine › Metabolic, Diabetes & Obesity ▲Technology
Longevity & Life Extension › GLP-1 Healthspan Proxies ▲Technology
002317.CS · Technology · Positive RAY1225 injection met the primary endpoint in the Phase III REBUILDING-2 weight-loss trial, showing 22.24% body-weight reduction with a favorable safety profile.
Viking Therapeutics Launches Oral Maintenance Study for Obesity Drug VK2735
Viking Therapeutics announced the initiation of a clinical study evaluating oral maintenance dosing of its lead obesity candidate, VK2735. The study, part two of the company's two-part weight-maintenance program, is designed to enroll approximately 195 adults with obesity and will test whether weight loss achieved with weekly subcutaneous VK2735 can be maintained using oral tablets or less frequent injections. All participants will initially receive weekly subcutaneous VK2735 or placebo for 21 weeks, after which those who received the drug will transition to maintenance regimens including daily or weekly oral doses, monthly or every-other-week subcutaneous doses, or placebo, with safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics assessed and exploratory body-weight changes measured through week 33. The launch follows part one results announced last month, in which patients on weekly subcutaneous VK2735 achieved approximately 16% to 19% weight loss over the 21-week induction phase versus a 0.1% decline for placebo, and patients switched to every-other-week dosing retained about 90% of their prior weight loss while monthly dosing retained roughly 85%, compared with about 61% for those switched to placebo. A data readout from the new study is expected in 2027, and Viking is on track to start late-stage studies of oral VK2735 by the end of this year.
Novo Nordisk Rated Zacks Rank #3 as Earnings Estimates Rise
Novo Nordisk is rated Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), with the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current quarter rising 6.9% over the last 30 days to $0.80 per share, a year-over-year change of -21.6%. For the current fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $3.53 points to a change of -10.9% from the prior year and has moved +2.4% over the last 30 days, while the next fiscal year's estimate of $3.41 indicates a -3.5% change and has slipped -0.3% over the past month. Consensus sales estimates stand at $11.41 billion for the current quarter, $46.1 billion for the current fiscal year and $47.16 billion for the next fiscal year, indicating changes of -2.8%, -1.5% and +2.3%, respectively. In the last reported quarter, Novo Nordisk posted revenues of $12.21 billion, up 4.5% year over year and an 8.34% surprise over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $11.27 billion, with EPS of $0.96 versus $0.97 a year ago and a +17.07% EPS surprise. The stock is graded A on the Zacks Value Style Score, indicating it trades at a discount to its peers, though its Zacks Rank #3 suggests it may perform in line with the broader market near term.
Aging Population › Chronic-Disease Pharma Franchises Capital
Biotech & Genomic Medicine › Metabolic, Diabetes & Obesity Capital
Longevity & Life Extension › GLP-1 Healthspan Proxies Capital
NVO · Capital · Neutral Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) with consensus earnings estimates rising 6.9% for the current quarter but still down year over year, an analyst-valuation update.
Eli Lilly Reports New Efficacy Data for Foundayo, EloraTZP and Ebglyss at EASD
Eli Lilly and Company presented new efficacy data from studies of its marketed and investigational metabolic medicines at the annual European Association for the Study of Diabetes conference. In the phase III ACHIEVE-4 study, Foundayo (orforglipron), a once-daily oral GLP-1 receptor agonist approved for chronic weight management, demonstrated a non-inferior risk of major adverse cardiovascular events versus titrated insulin glargine, with MACE-4 risk 16% lower, MACE-3 risk 23% lower, cardiovascular death risk 53% lower and all-cause death risk 57% lower; at 52 weeks A1C declined 1.6% versus 1% and body weight fell 8.8% versus a 1.7% increase, while 10.6% discontinued due to adverse events. Lilly also reported positive 48-week results from a phase IIb study of EloraTZP, an investigational combination of eloralintide and Zepbound, in adults with obesity or overweight and type II diabetes, where the highest-dose combination of 9 mg eloralintide plus 15 mg Zepbound reduced body weight by 23.3% (54.1 pounds) versus 14.8% (34.4 pounds) for Zepbound 15 mg alone, and A1C declined 2.9% versus 2.4%. Separately, the phase IIIb ADtouch study of Ebglyss (lebrikizumab-lbkz) met its primary and secondary endpoints, with 53% of patients on monotherapy achieving clear or almost clear hands and feet at week 16 versus 27% with placebo, and Lilly has submitted the data to the FDA seeking a potential U.S. label expansion to include localized atopic dermatitis with moderate-to-severe hand and foot involvement. Lilly has also submitted a regulatory filing to the FDA seeking approval of Foundayo for the treatment of type II diabetes, with the application currently under review, intensifying its oral GLP-1 competition with Novo Nordisk's oral Wegovy, Ozempic and Rybelsus.
Biotech & Genomic Medicine › Metabolic, Diabetes & Obesity ▲Competition
Longevity & Life Extension › GLP-1 Healthspan Proxies ▲Competition
LLY · Technology · Positive Positive efficacy data for Foundayo, EloraTZP and Ebglyss, plus FDA submissions for label expansion and type II diabetes approval.
NVO · Competition · Negative Lilly's Foundayo type II diabetes filing intensifies oral GLP-1 competition with Novo Nordisk's oral Wegovy, Ozempic and Rybelsus.
Regeneron's Trevogrumab Preserves 70% of Muscle Loss in Phase 2 COURAGE Trial
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals announced new Phase 2 COURAGE trial results showing that trevogrumab prevented 70% of the muscle loss associated with semaglutide treatment in people living with obesity. In a predefined MRI substudy, lower-dose trevogrumab preserved almost 70% of the thigh muscle that would otherwise have been lost with semaglutide alone, with 71.8% preservation at 52 weeks for the 25 mg dose and 68.9% for the 75 mg dose relative to placebo plus semaglutide. The lower-dose portion of the trial, which evaluated trevogrumab at 25 mg or 75 mg in combination with semaglutide 2.4 mg over 52 weeks, replicated the higher-dose findings, preserving lean mass at both 26 and 52 weeks, the primary endpoint, though it did not meaningfully enhance weight loss achieved with semaglutide alone. A pre-specified subgroup analysis found that patients meeting the low lean mass definition for sarcopenia had greater loss of lean mass with semaglutide and more preservation with trevogrumab. The results were presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes Annual Meeting and are in press with The Lancet, and Regeneron is planning to initiate a Phase 2 trial of trevogrumab in combination with GLP-1 receptor agonist-based therapies in older adults with obesity and decreased muscle mass and/or strength.
Biotech & Genomic Medicine › Metabolic, Diabetes & Obesity ▲Technology
Longevity & Life Extension › GLP-1 Healthspan Proxies ▲Technology
REGN · Technology · Positive Phase 2 COURAGE trial showed trevogrumab preserved ~70% of muscle loss from semaglutide, a positive R&D readout for Regeneron.
DenmarkUnited StatesUnited Arab EmiratesUnited KingdomGermany
GLP-1 Healthspan Proxies▲2
Novo's Oral Wegovy Shows 4.1% Weight Loss After Switching From Injections
Novo Nordisk's oral Wegovy, or semaglutide, produced real-world weight loss in adults with overweight or obesity who switched from injectable GLP-1 therapies, according to data from the OCTANE study presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes on Sept. 30, 2026. The retrospective analysis, which drew on de-identified data from the Ro telehealth platform, covered 194 participants who moved from injectable Wegovy or Eli Lilly's Zepbound, or tirzepatide, to once-daily oral Wegovy between Jan. 5 and Feb. 7, 2026, and stayed on the pill for three months with weight data available at baseline and follow-up. Participants lost an average of four kilograms, or 8.8 pounds, over three months, equal to 4.1% of baseline body weight, while 40.7% achieved at least 5% weight loss and the share with a BMI of at least 30 kg/m2 fell 21.6 percentage points, from 87.1% at baseline to 65.5% at three months. Among participants with available information, 82.4% reported at least one treatment improvement, most often better-fitting clothes and healthier eating. Novo cautioned that the observational design cannot establish causality and cited limitations including variable data collection, self-reported measures, selection bias from requiring treatment persistence and limited generalizability. The Wegovy pill has launched in the United States, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and Germany, with additional select markets planned in coming quarters. Separately at the same conference, Novo presented 52-week functional MRI data showing CagriSema, its investigational once-weekly combination of cagrilintide and semaglutide, altered brain responses to high-calorie food cues and was linked to a 22.4% body-weight reduction versus placebo, along with a 14.3% weight reduction at week 40 in a diabetes MRI sub-study of the phase IIIa REIMAGINE 1 trial and a 14.2% weight reduction at week 68 in a post hoc analysis of phase III REIMAGINE 2. Novo submitted a new drug application to the FDA for CagriSema in weight management in December 2025, with a decision expected in the fourth quarter, and in 2026 began a phase III study of high-dose CagriSema 2.4 mg/7.2 mg in adults with obesity.
Biotech & Genomic Medicine › Metabolic, Diabetes & Obesity ▲Technology
Longevity & Life Extension › GLP-1 Healthspan Proxies ▲Technology
NVO · Technology · Positive OCTANE data show oral Wegovy produced 4.1% weight loss over three months in patients switching from injectables, supporting its oral GLP-1 product
Novo Nordisk Says Wegovy Cut Liver Fat to Normal in 9 of 10 Obese Adults
Novo Nordisk reported that Wegovy, its injectable semaglutide, brought liver fat down to normal levels in nearly nine out of ten adults with obesity and excess liver fat, according to a post hoc analysis of a 55-participant sub-population of the STEP UP trial presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes Annual Meeting 2026 in Milan. Among the 26 participants who entered with liver fat above 5%, 88.5%, or 23 people, reached the below-5% threshold by week 72, while mean liver fat across the group fell from 8.8% at baseline to 3.1% at week 72 as measured by magnetic resonance imaging. The analysis pooled 1,919 adults from the STEP UP and STEP UP T2D trials, of whom 1,312 received semaglutide 7.2 mg, 304 received semaglutide 2.4 mg and 303 received placebo, and more than 94% were classified as high risk for fatty liver by the Fatty Liver Index at baseline. Eric Lawitz of the Texas Liver Institute and University of Texas Health San Antonio said the findings suggest semaglutide may help address liver disease early, noting that as many as three in four people with obesity may have excess liver fat. Novo chief medical officer Filip Knop said the results help show the quality of weight loss seen with semaglutide, adding that the dedicated ESSENCE MASH trial demonstrated reversal of liver damage in people with MASH. Semaglutide 2.4 mg is approved for the treatment of MASH under the Wegovy brand in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, China and several other markets, while semaglutide 7.2 mg is not being investigated for MASH.
Biotech & Genomic Medicine › Metabolic, Diabetes & Obesity ▲Demand
Longevity & Life Extension › GLP-1 Healthspan Proxies ▲Demand
NVO · Technology · Positive Post hoc STEP UP analysis showed Wegovy/semaglutide normalized liver fat in ~9 of 10 obese adults with excess liver fat, supporting its clinical benefit.
Novo's Ozempic Cuts Cardiovascular Risk More Than Lilly's Mounjaro in Real-World Study
Novo Nordisk said new real-world data from its COMPETE SWITCH Cardiovascular study found that type II diabetes patients who increased their Ozempic dose had a lower observed risk of major adverse cardiovascular events than those who switched to Eli Lilly's Mounjaro. In the study, 67.2% of patients remained on Ozempic 1 mg within 365 days, 29.2% increased their dose to 2 mg and 3.6% switched to Mounjaro; by 720 days, 57.4% remained on semaglutide 1 mg, 36.9% had escalated to 2 mg and 5.7% had switched to Mounjaro. After adjustment for between-group differences, patients who increased their dose to Ozempic 2 mg had a statistically significant 6% lower risk of MACE than those who switched to Mounjaro, including doses of up to 15 mg, with MACE defined as all-cause death, heart attack and stroke. Novo cautioned that the study showed an association, not proof, that Ozempic 2 mg directly reduces cardiovascular risk more than Mounjaro, and that safety outcomes were not evaluated. Year to date, Novo shares have lost 22.2% against the industry's 14.9% growth.
Biotech & Genomic Medicine › Metabolic, Diabetes & Obesity ▲Competition
Aging Population › Chronic-Disease Pharma Franchises ▲Competition
Longevity & Life Extension › GLP-1 Healthspan Proxies ▲Competition
NVO · Technology · Positive Novo's own COMPETE SWITCH study found escalating to Ozempic 2 mg was associated with a statistically significant 6% lower MACE risk than switching to Mounjaro.
LLY · Competition · Negative Real-world COMPETE SWITCH data show patients on Ozempic 2 mg had a 6% lower MACE risk than those who switched to Lilly's Mounjaro, a competitive blow to Mounjaro.
Eli Lilly's EloraTZP Combo Cuts 23.3% of Weight in Phase 2b Trial
Eli Lilly reported that its experimental obesity and type 2 diabetes combination EloraTZP delivered up to 23.3% average weight loss in a Phase 2b trial, sending its shares up as much as 2.6% before closing 0.5% higher. In the 48-week trial of 367 participants, the combination of eloralintide and tirzepatide produced average weight loss of up to 54.1 lbs, or 23.3%, far outpacing the 34.4 lbs, or 14.8%, achieved by a 15 mg dose of tirzepatide alone. EloraTZP also reduced A1C levels by an average of up to 2.9%, compared with 2.4% for tirzepatide, and met all primary and secondary endpoints across the tested dose combinations, with the highest dose of 9 mg eloralintide plus 15 mg tirzepatide yielding the greatest reductions. The triple-hormone therapy activates GIP, GLP-1 and amylin; gastrointestinal side effects were the most common, and discontinuation rates for EloraTZP ranged from 10.8% to 27.0%, versus 2.9% for tirzepatide alone and 16.7% for placebo. Following the results, presented at the 62nd Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes in Milan, Italy, Eli Lilly plans to begin Phase 3 trials of EloraTZP in the fourth quarter of 2026, while shares of rival Novo Nordisk slipped 0.3%.
Novo Nordisk's CagriSema Cuts 'Food Noise' and Body Weight 22.4% in EASD 2026 Data
Novo Nordisk presented new data at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes Annual Meeting 2026 showing that its investigational obesity and diabetes drug CagriSema changes brain responses to high-calorie food cues and reduces harmful fat around organs while maintaining bone health. In a 52-week functional magnetic resonance imaging study in adults with overweight or obesity, CagriSema improved eating behaviour and reduced 'food noise', cravings, hunger and appetite, and was associated with a 22.4% reduction in body weight versus placebo at 52 weeks. Separately, in a diabetes MRI sub-study of the phase 3a REIMAGINE 1 trial in adults with early type 2 diabetes, CagriSema 2.4 mg/2.4 mg produced significant reductions in fat in the abdomen and around the liver and pancreas alongside a 14.3% body-weight reduction at week 40, while a post hoc analysis of bone markers from the phase 3 REIMAGINE 2 trial showed signs of healthy bone maintenance alongside a 14.2% body-weight reduction at week 68. Novo Nordisk submitted a New Drug Application for CagriSema for weight management to the US Food and Drug Administration in December 2025, with a decision expected in Q4 2026, and initiated a phase 3 trial of high-dose CagriSema 2.4 mg/7.2 mg in adults with obesity in 2026.
Biotech & Genomic Medicine › Metabolic, Diabetes & Obesity ▲Technology
Longevity & Life Extension › GLP-1 Healthspan Proxies ▲Technology
NVO · Technology · Positive New EASD 2026 data show CagriSema cuts 'food noise' and body weight 22.4%, supporting its investigational obesity/diabetes profile.
Hengrui Medicine signs overseas licensing deal for HRS-1596 with Novo Nordisk, with potential total value of up to 2.6 billion US dollars
Hengrui Medicine announced that it has signed a licensing agreement with Novo Nordisk for the HRS-1596 project, granting the global weight-loss drug leader Novo Nordisk rights to its independently developed HRS-1596. The potential total transaction value is up to 2.6 billion US dollars, marking another step forward for Chinese innovative drug companies in the global weight-loss sector. On the same day, Dizal Pharmaceutical announced that it recently received a 600 million US dollar upfront payment from AstraZeneca. Boosted by this news, on September 30, the medical services concept rose 3.22 percent intraday, Yiqiao Shenzhou rose 13.14 percent, Nanmo Bio rose 10.70 percent, Berry Genomics rose 10.02 percent, Biopsychus rose 8.02 percent, and PharmaBlock Sciences rose 5.61 percent. Industrial Securities believes that innovation plus globalization remains the main theme for the pharmaceutical sector throughout the year. Multinational pharmaceutical companies facing patent cliffs need external pipelines, while domestic drug companies' R&D efficiency advantages are becoming more prominent, and cooperation models are upgrading, representing an increase in China's innovative voice.
Zealand Pharma Publishes Phase 2 ZUPREME-1 Petrelintide Results in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology
Zealand Pharma announced that results from its Phase 2 ZUPREME-1 trial of investigational petrelintide have been published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, with additional data to be presented at EASD 2026 on September 30 at 3:30pm CEST. In the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-finding trial, 485 adults with a mean age of 47 years and a BMI of 36.7 kg/m² were assigned 5:1 to once-weekly subcutaneous petrelintide at 1.0 mg, 2.5 mg, 5.0 mg, 7.0 mg or 9.0 mg, or placebo, for 42 weeks including dose escalation. Petrelintide led to mean body weight reductions from baseline to week 42 of up to 10.7% versus 1.7% for placebo on the efficacy estimand, and up to 10.2% versus 1.4% on the treatment policy estimand. Gastrointestinal adverse events were generally mild and occurred at rates similar to placebo, with no cases of vomiting and no treatment discontinuations due to gastrointestinal adverse events at the maximally effective dose. Treatment was also associated with reductions in waist circumference of up to 10.8 cm versus 4.3 cm with placebo, up to 41% reductions in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein versus 6% with placebo, triglyceride reductions of up to 21% versus 9%, and a mean pulse rate reduction of up to 2.9 beats per minute versus a mean increase of 0.3 bpm with placebo. Petrelintide is being evaluated for chronic weight management in three global Phase 3 registrational trials, and a Phase 2 trial of petrelintide in combination with enicepatide is planned for initiation in the second half of 2026.
Biotech & Genomic Medicine › Metabolic, Diabetes & Obesity ▲Technology
Longevity & Life Extension › GLP-1 Healthspan Proxies ▲Technology
0NZU.LSE · Technology · Positive Phase 2 ZUPREME-1 results for petrelintide published in The Lancet show up to 10.7% weight loss with clean GI safety, advancing its obesity pipeline.
Novo Nordisk Licenses Once-Weekly Oral GLP-1/GIP Drug From Hengrui Pharma
Novo Nordisk has entered an exclusive license with Hengrui Pharma for a once-weekly oral GLP-1/GIP dual agonist, adding a late-stage oral candidate to its metabolic pipeline. The deal complements Novo Nordisk's existing injectable and oral GLP-1 work and sits alongside its Nanexa long-acting injectable agreement and Orbis macrocycle partnership. Separately, Phase 3 CagriSema data delivered new weight management clinical results, with a CagriSema NDA decision expected in the fourth quarter of 2026. The CHMP issued a positive opinion backing Sogroya for idiopathic short stature and supported FREHEMGO for hemophilia A patients, with European Commission rulings on both still pending. Novo Nordisk, a pharmaceuticals group with a DKK1.1 trillion market cap, is also pursuing a MASLD and MASH collaboration with Siemens Healthineers.
Biotech & Genomic Medicine › Metabolic, Diabetes & Obesity ▲Technology
Longevity & Life Extension › GLP-1 Healthspan Proxies ▲Technology
NVO · Demand · Positive Novo Nordisk gains a late-stage once-weekly oral GLP-1/GIP candidate, expanding its metabolic pipeline alongside existing GLP-1 work.
600276.CG · Demand · Positive Hengrui Pharma licenses its once-weekly oral GLP-1/GIP dual agonist to Novo Nordisk in an exclusive deal, validating its pipeline asset.
Eli Lilly Shares Rise After Foundayo Shows More Weight Loss
Eli Lilly shares edged 1% higher in morning trading Tuesday after new data showed its oral Foundayo treatment produced greater weight and blood-sugar reductions than oral semaglutide at higher doses. The analysis examined 17.2 mg of Foundayo, or orforglipron, in adults with type 2 diabetes, and at week 52 patients receiving the Lilly drug recorded 1.5% more body-weight reduction than those taking 25 mg of oral semaglutide. The blood-sugar measure A1C also moved in Lilly's favor, with the analysis showing a further 0.3% reduction compared with the semaglutide group. The findings were presented during the European Association for the Study of Diabetes meeting in Milan, where EASD materials listed additional studies involving the treatment. Lilly has been developing Foundayo across its diabetes program as competition in oral GLP-1 medicines expands, though the comparison comes from separate studies rather than a direct head-to-head trial.
Biotech & Genomic Medicine › Metabolic, Diabetes & Obesity ▲Competition
Aging Population › Chronic-Disease Pharma Franchises ▲Competition
Longevity & Life Extension › GLP-1 Healthspan Proxies ▲Competition
LLY · Technology · Positive New data showed Lilly's oral Foundayo produced greater weight and blood-sugar reductions than oral semaglutide at higher doses.
Lilly Says Higher-Dose Zepbound Widened Weight-Loss Lead Over Wegovy
Eli Lilly says higher doses of Zepbound may have widened its weight-loss advantage over Novo Nordisk's Wegovy. A new indirect analysis found that patients receiving Zepbound 15 mg and 10 mg had 4.5 percentage points and 3.2 percentage points more weight loss, respectively, over 72 weeks than patients taking high-dose Wegovy. According to Lilly, patients receiving Zepbound 15 mg were three times more likely to lose at least 20% of their body weight compared with those receiving Wegovy HD, and the difference was even more pronounced among people reaching larger weight-loss goals. Discontinuation rates because of adverse events were comparable across the Zepbound 10 mg, Zepbound 15 mg and Wegovy HD groups. Lilly cautioned that the results did not come from a direct head-to-head trial, comparing data from its Phase 3 SURMOUNT-1 study with Novo Nordisk's STEP UP studies. Novo shares were down about 1.3% in Tuesday premarket trading, while Lilly was up roughly 0.4%.
Hofseth BioCare study shows ProGo salmon peptides improved GLP-1 markers and lean muscle mass
Hofseth BioCare ASA announced the publication of a peer-reviewed clinical study in Biomedicines showing that its salmon protein hydrolysate ProGo improved multiple biological markers linked to healthy ageing and metabolic health in overweight adults, while a protein-matched whey comparator did not. The randomised, double-blind, active-controlled pilot study enrolled 14 overweight adults who received either 12 grams per day of ProGo or an iso-nitrogenous whey protein isolate for 56 days. ProGo produced statistically significant improvements versus whey in haemoglobin, red blood cell count, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, ferritin, and a composite self-assessed hair, nail and skin score, with a 39.1 percent improvement in the composite score. Exploratory analyses favoured ProGo across body composition, inflammation and glucose metabolism, including a 13.3 percent increase in lean body mass, reductions in waist circumference, BMI and percent body fat, and improvements in inflammatory markers and HbA1c. The company noted the findings are preliminary and that larger, longer and placebo-controlled studies are warranted.
