Roche Targets Weight-Loss Drug Market Dominated by Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly | Global News Avenue

Roche enters the calorie weight loss drug market currently dominated by Novo Nordisk (NGOs) and Eli Lilly (Lai).

Swiss Pharmaceuticals has signed an exclusive agreement with Denmark-based Biotech Zealand Pharma to jointly develop and commercialize treatments for obese and overweight patients.

The agreement requires the companies to use the injectable lignin analogue of Zeland, Petrelintide, to produce drugs, both independent and Roche’s CT-388. Roche’s treatment is also an injection under investigation that contains a GLP-1 receptor agonist, a key ingredient used in Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic and Wegovy and Lilly’s Mounjaro and Zepbound.

Roche

Roche will pay up to $5.3 billion to New Zealand: Expected cash payments of $1.65 billion, plus a development milestone of $1.2 billion, and another $2.4 billion sales-based milestone. Roche will receive $350 million on any Petrelintide/CT-388 fixed-dose combination product or next-generation Petrelintide Compination product.

Roche CEO Teresa Graham said drugmakers hope that the development of these drugs “will provide a new treatment option for people with obesity and related comorbidities.”

The news lowered Novo Novo Nove stock by 5%, while Eli Lilly stock increased.