Ozempic, Wegovy, other anti-obesity drugs to flood biopharma industry in next 12 months; here’s what’s happening

Ozempic, Wegovy, other anti-obesity drugs to flood biopharma industry in next 12 months; here’s what’s happening

Recent advancements in anti-obesity drugs have transformed the market, making them the most impactful trend for the next 12 months. Several anti-obesity drugs expected to come to the market in the next few years, including Ozempic (semaglutide), Mounjaro, Wegovy, and GL0034 (uretoglutide).

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Anti-obesity drugs to flood Indian markets in next 12 months (PC: Reuters/ Representative image)Anti-obesity drugs to flood Indian markets in next 12 months (PC: Reuters/ Representative image)
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Neetu Chandra Sharma
  • Jun 7, 2024,
  • Updated Jun 7, 2024 8:22 AM IST

The biopharmaceutical industry is set to see significant changes in the coming year, with anti-obesity drugs emerging as a major trend, according to industry experts. Obesity, a complex disease characterised by excessive body fat, raises the risk of conditions such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Recent advancements in anti-obesity drugs have transformed the market, making them the most impactful trend for the next 12 months, according to a report by GlobalData, a data and analytics company. This is against the backdrop of several anti-obesity drugs expected to come to the market in the next few years, including Ozempic (semaglutide), Mounjaro, Wegovy, and GL0034 (uretoglutide).

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“We have been using these drugs for two decades, and they are quite expensive. Currently, the injectable form of the medication available in India costs around Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000 per month. This cost can be prohibitive for some patients who are already on multiple medications and have additional medical expenses like doctor consultation fees and tests. During initial counselling, we inform patients about potential side effects, the injection process, other medications they may need, and the associated costs,” said Dr. Misra.

“Approximately one out of every 20 patients declines the treatment due to cost concerns, while two to three patients express the intention to consider it later. In my practice, around 50 to 60 per cent of patients opt for the treatment despite the cost. This acceptance rate is a significant concern that we address upfront, especially considering the high cost of the medication,” he said, adding that regarding global trends, these drugs are becoming more commonly prescribed and used worldwide. The price point varies globally, and when these drugs enter the Indian market, they may be more expensive than the ones currently used by doctors here.

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Indian pharma companies such as Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, Lupin, Zydus Cadila, and Sun Pharma are working on these drugs, with some already obtaining permission from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) to conduct clinical trials. For instance, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories has obtained permission to conduct a bioequivalence study on semaglutide, while Zydus Cadila is developing its own anti-obesity drug candidates. Sun Pharma is developing GL0034, a long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist used for non-obese and obese adults without diabetes, which has shown promising results in Phase 1 studies. These companies are working to develop and launch anti-obesity drugs in India, which is expected to be a significant market in the coming years.

GlobalData anticipates more companies entering the field in the coming months, with increased investment directed into this therapeutic area. "The market potential for obesity medications is considerable," Alciati added. "Sales of GLP-1 receptor agonists are projected to reach $125 billion by 2033, with 90 per cent of this revenue coming from obesity drugs. Major pharmaceutical companies are struggling to meet patient demand, driving increased investment in research and development from new entrants in the sector."

The biopharmaceutical industry is set to see significant changes in the coming year, with anti-obesity drugs emerging as a major trend, according to industry experts. Obesity, a complex disease characterised by excessive body fat, raises the risk of conditions such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Recent advancements in anti-obesity drugs have transformed the market, making them the most impactful trend for the next 12 months, according to a report by GlobalData, a data and analytics company. This is against the backdrop of several anti-obesity drugs expected to come to the market in the next few years, including Ozempic (semaglutide), Mounjaro, Wegovy, and GL0034 (uretoglutide).

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“We have been using these drugs for two decades, and they are quite expensive. Currently, the injectable form of the medication available in India costs around Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000 per month. This cost can be prohibitive for some patients who are already on multiple medications and have additional medical expenses like doctor consultation fees and tests. During initial counselling, we inform patients about potential side effects, the injection process, other medications they may need, and the associated costs,” said Dr. Misra.

“Approximately one out of every 20 patients declines the treatment due to cost concerns, while two to three patients express the intention to consider it later. In my practice, around 50 to 60 per cent of patients opt for the treatment despite the cost. This acceptance rate is a significant concern that we address upfront, especially considering the high cost of the medication,” he said, adding that regarding global trends, these drugs are becoming more commonly prescribed and used worldwide. The price point varies globally, and when these drugs enter the Indian market, they may be more expensive than the ones currently used by doctors here.

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Indian pharma companies such as Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, Lupin, Zydus Cadila, and Sun Pharma are working on these drugs, with some already obtaining permission from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) to conduct clinical trials. For instance, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories has obtained permission to conduct a bioequivalence study on semaglutide, while Zydus Cadila is developing its own anti-obesity drug candidates. Sun Pharma is developing GL0034, a long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist used for non-obese and obese adults without diabetes, which has shown promising results in Phase 1 studies. These companies are working to develop and launch anti-obesity drugs in India, which is expected to be a significant market in the coming years.

GlobalData anticipates more companies entering the field in the coming months, with increased investment directed into this therapeutic area. "The market potential for obesity medications is considerable," Alciati added. "Sales of GLP-1 receptor agonists are projected to reach $125 billion by 2033, with 90 per cent of this revenue coming from obesity drugs. Major pharmaceutical companies are struggling to meet patient demand, driving increased investment in research and development from new entrants in the sector."

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