在哥本哈根市场，诺和诺德股价一度下跌1.8%，今年以来上涨了约11%。礼来公司的股价在美国市场开盘前上涨了2%。Eli Lilly and Co (LLY.US) stated that its weight loss drug Zepbound performed better than the competitor Novo Nordisk (NVO.US)'s Wegovy in a first head-to-head trial.
According to the Securities Times app, Eli Lilly and Co (LLY.US) stated that its weight loss drug Zepbound outperformed the competition Novo Nordisk (NVO.US)'s Wegovy in a head-to-head trial. In a study sponsored by Eli Lilly, people treated with Zepbound lost an average of 20% of their body weight within 72 weeks, about 50 pounds, while those treated with Wegovy only lost 14%. This result confirms the conclusion that Zepbound is more effective as shown in previous trials.
The side effects of the two drugs are mainly related to the gastrointestinal tract and are quite similar. Eli Lilly and Co stated that the full study results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at a medical conference next year.
In Copenhagen's market, Novo Nordisk's stock price once fell by 1.8%, and has risen by about 11% this year. Eli Lilly and Co's stock price rose by 2% before the US market opened.
Although Novo Nordisk was the first company to start selling GLP-1 drugs to fight obesity, these findings also provide an opportunity for Eli Lilly to catch up and stay competitive in this market expected to reach $130 billion by the end of this decade. In order to maintain its leading position, Novo Nordisk is testing a new generation compound called CagriSema, aiming to help patients lose at least 25% of their weight.
Studies show that the more weight patients lose, the lower the risk of related diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. Eli Lilly's research may help convince doctors, patients, and cost-conscious insurance companies that Zepbound is a better long-term investment.
The trial included 751 participants in the US and Puerto Rico receiving the highest dose of either Zepbound or Wegovy. While the results obtained by Zepbound are consistent with previous trials referenced on the drug label, the weight loss effects associated with Wegovy were at the lower end of the range in two other long-term trials.
