Eli Lilly's stock declined after its rival Novo Nordisk received U.S. approval for its obesity medication, impacting investor sentiment in the pharmaceutical sector.
Regulators approved the first-ever GLP-1 pill for obesity, with Novo Nordisk's shares surging; Alphabet announced a $4.75 billion acquisition of data center company Intersect; the euphoria around electric vehicles has waned as automakers shift focus to traditional trucks and SUVs; Paramount Skydance secured backing from Larry Ellison for its bid for Warner Bros. Discovery; Instacart ended its AI-driven pricing tests after consumer concerns.
Viking Therapeutics experienced its worst stock decline on record, leading short sellers to profit $521 million, after a mid-stage study of its obesity pill showed significant side effects, undermining investor confidence despite analyst optimism and high price targets.
Viking Therapeutics' shares plummeted by about 43% after disappointing midstage trial results for its obesity pill, which showed less favorable weight loss and higher side effects compared to competitors like Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, potentially limiting its future in the obesity drug market.
Eli Lilly's stock (LLY) continues to decline as investor enthusiasm for its obesity medication wanes, reflecting changing market dynamics and investor sentiment.
Lilly is being downgraded and questioned after its obesity pill failed to meet expectations, prompting investors and analysts to reassess its prospects.
Eli Lilly's obesity drug underperformed in clinical trials, leading to a 14% drop in its shares, disappointing investors and raising concerns about its future prospects.
Eli Lilly's new oral obesity pill helped patients lose nearly 12% of their body weight in a late-stage trial, signaling a potential market entry in 2026 and offering a needle-free alternative to existing treatments, though side effects and discontinuation rates are considerations.
Eli Lilly's new oral obesity pill, orforglipron, shows comparable effectiveness to injectable GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic in weight loss and blood sugar reduction, with potential advantages in cost, convenience, and accessibility, and is seeking regulatory approval.
Pfizer has decided not to proceed with the development of a twice-daily version of its oral weight-loss drug, danuglipron, due to high rates of side effects such as nausea and vomiting observed in a midstage trial. The company's shares fell 5% following the announcement. Pfizer still has a once-daily version of the drug in development, with hopes that a change in the drug's release mechanism will reduce side effects. However, early data on the new formulation will not be available until the first half of next year. The decision is a setback for Pfizer's ambition to tap into the booming obesity market, which analysts expect to be worth $100 billion by the end of the decade.
Shares of biotech startup Structure Therapeutics surged over 30% after its experimental obesity pill showed promising results in an early-stage trial, helping participants lose an average of 10 pounds in four weeks. The company plans to conduct further midstage trials for diabetes and obesity treatment. Structure's pill belongs to the same class as Novo Nordisk's Ozempic and Wegovy, which have gained popularity for their weight loss benefits. Analysts predict the obesity drug market could reach $100 billion globally by the end of the decade, and Structure's pill could compete with other oral obesity drugs from Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, and Pfizer. The availability of cheaper and more convenient pill versions of GLP-1s could increase patient access and expand the market.