Zepbound to Spark Semaglutide Price War?
FDA Approved Zepound at $1000/month (without insurance)
Hey folks! Guess what? The Food and Drug Administration said "yes" to a new weight loss champ in town, and it's gonna give the popular kid, Wegovy, a run for its money! What's it called, you ask? It's none other than tirzepatide, a.k.a Zepbound! This little bad boy comes from Eli Lilly and swims in the same pool as all those snazzy new obesity-busters.
So why is this such big news? Well, estimates say a whopping 100 million American adults are dealing with obesity—yeah, you heard that right. And obesity ain't no lone wolf; it brings along some pesky pals like diabetes, heart disease…you know the drill.
Anyway, back to our shiny new contender. On one hand, we've got Zepbound, helping folks lose about 18 percent of their body weight in drug trials. Then there's Wegovy that helped shed 15 percent—still cool but not as much as Big Z (that's our nickname for it now)! The F.D.A. gave Zepbound the green light for folks dealing with obesity or simply overweight with an obesity-related condition.
Now here's where things get spicy—Zepbound already has its claws in the diabetes market under the name Mounjaro. It goes head-to-head with Wegovy's cousin, Novo Nordisk's Ozempic (a.k.a. semaglutide). But Wegovy was the only player that tackled obesity single-handedly...until Zepbound jumped into the scene!
Oh, and don't worry if you experience a bit of nausea or diarrhea using any of these drugs—the side effects are similar and usually no biggie for most peeps.
And finally, rumor has it that Novo Nordisk is having trouble churning out enough Wegovy to quench the drug-thirsty public. Zepbound might be the hero we need, stepping in to ease that shortage. Who doesn't love a little competition fueled by supply and demand? Plus, having two titans clash could also mean lower prices for the fat-fighting frenzy. 'Cause let me tell ya, Wegovy's price tag ain't cheap, and Zepbound starts at around $1,060.
So stay tuned, ladies and gents—this weight loss battle is only just beginning!
Zepbound but in Pill Form?
Zepbound's journey started in 2017 with a petite experiment involving 300 type 2 diabetes peeps. After a three-month stint, many ditched a solid 13% of their body weight. Eli Lilly spilled the tea at a German diabetes shindig, leaving some attendees shook.
Next up: a massive 72-week Eli Lilly study featuring tirzepatide and 2,539 obesity buddies.
At an American Diabetes Association bash last year, Dr. Ania Jastreboff from Yale dropped the results like they were hot. Over half the patients on the highest dosage kissed goodbye to at least 20% of their body weight. Talk about breaking records!
For Eli Lilly, it was the cherry on top of a research cake baked for ten years. Though they were also chasing new diabetes drugs like Novo Nordisk.
"Obesity wasn't our jam," explained Dr. Daniel Skovronsky, Eli Lilly's top science and medical honcho. "We didn't see the dollar signs."
He thought back to previous weight loss drug fiascos. "None hit the spot," he recalled, "and they barely made a dent in people's health."
Meanwhile, Eli Lilly scientists explored a diabetes drug mixing two molecular BFFs. One mimicked GLP-1 hormone vibes, urging the body to sneak insulin into rising blood sugar levels - just like Novo Nordisk's Ozempic and Wegovy - and quashing appetites.
But why stop at one hormone? Enter GIP, another gut hormone buddy! While less powerful alone, it turned GLP-1 into Hulk Hogan when combined.
Eli Lilly researchers tossed it to healthy volunteers who weren't even looking to slim down, but surprise - they lost weight!
Zepbound now had Eli Lilly's full attention.
They floored it with an "investing at risk" tactic that revved up testing stages and manufacturing capabilities without waiting around. This six-year sprint from the first human test to FDA approval nabbed a company record.
But hold onto your hats: Zepbound is just the opener for Eli Lilly's weight loss gig. They're riffing with other pharma rockstars on even more potent drugs. The next number hooks glucagon – yet another gut hormone – into Zepbound's two-hormone jamboree. Plus, they're jamming with Novo Nordisk on a tirzepatide pill, currently mid clinic sesh. Stay tuned!