Scientists at Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk developed a new weekly obesity treatment that targeted three hormones simultaneously. The drug activated receptors for GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon hormones, and studies in mice showed it caused significant weight loss.
Despite these promising results, Novo Nordisk decided to shelve the therapy. The company was concerned about possible side effects from targeting glucagon, such as increased blood sugar and heart rate. Additionally, Novo was already developing another obesity treatment, a GLP-1 drug called semaglutide, now marketed as Wegovy, which showed strong potential.
Richard DiMarchi, a chemist who led the triple hormone drug’s development at Novo’s Indianapolis research center, said he felt the company lacked commitment to overcoming obstacles like managing side effects through slower dose increases.
While Novo put the triple hormone drug aside, another Indianapolis-based company, Eli Lilly, advanced its own similar treatment called retatrutide. This drug is now in late-stage testing and is considered one of the most promising obesity drugs in development.
For some former Novo employees, this story reveals the company’s cautious approach to obesity treatments. This conservative strategy may explain why, despite being the first to market with a new generation of obesity drugs, Novo Nordisk is now seen as falling behind Eli Lilly in a market projected to exceed \$100 billion by the end of the decade.
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