At least a 25% weight loss! Novo Nordisk plans to launch a new weight loss drug CagriSema, which is expected to alleviate the rebound issue after discontinuation

Novo Nordisk is about to launch a revolutionary weight loss therapy, CagriSema!

According to media reports, in order to maintain its leading position in the weight loss drug market, Novo Nordisk is turning to the development of new GLP-1 class drugs. This product, named CagriSema, is expected to achieve at least a 25% weight loss effect, without additional side effects compared to the previous generation weight loss drug Wegovy.

Novo Nordisk stated that CagriSema will effectively address the issue of "weight rebound after discontinuation," becoming the most effective weight loss drug to date, while its efficacy for type 2 diabetes is still under exploration.

A new weight loss therapy is coming, will the market undergo a major change?

As a GLP-1 class drug, Novo Nordisk's previous generation weight loss drug Wegovy works by mimicking the GLP-1 hormone naturally produced by the body after eating. Eli Lilly's popular weight loss drug Zepbound (also known as Mounjaro) also targets GLP-1 but additionally includes a second hormone, GIP.

To keep pace, Novo Nordisk's planned CagriSema will also combine two gut hormones: one is the long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist semaglutide, and the other is the long-acting Amylin (amylin) analog Cagrilintide.

Matthias Tschöp, CEO of the Helmholtz Institute in Munich and one of the scientists behind multi-receptor therapies, stated that patients taking this dual-action drug can typically lose more weight than those taking GLP-1 alone, without experiencing more side effects.

Tschöp explained that the need for a drug with more significant weight loss effects arises from the fact that for a large number of obese patients, a 15% to 20% weight loss is still insufficient to escape obesity.

Moreover, there is ample documentation indicating that GLP-1 class drugs can cause gastrointestinal side effects, including but not limited to nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, prompting pharmaceutical companies to seek alternatives with fewer complications.

It is reported that amylin is a hormone related to hunger and satiety, and CagriSema aims to provide better weight loss and blood sugar-lowering effects by combining these two components.

A comeback or a struggle to maintain glory? The launch of CagriSema remains under pressure

Currently, although Novo Nordisk holds a dominant share in the weight loss drug market, it is at a disadvantage in terms of drug efficacy.

Reports indicate that at the highest dosage efficacy, Eli Lilly's Zepbound can achieve approximately a 21% weight loss effect, while Novo Nordisk's Wegovy can only reach about 15% efficacy.

Therefore, some believe that if CagriSema can indeed achieve a 25% weight loss effect, it will give Novo Nordisk a key advantage in the weight loss drug market.

However, due to the underperformance of Eli Lilly's Zepbound in the market, it may put pressure on Novo Nordisk. Last week, affected by poor Zepbound sales, Eli Lilly's Q3 revenue and profit both fell short of expectations, and the company lowered its full-year financial guidance, with its stock price plummeting by as much as 12% In addition, CagriSema also faces production obstacles.

Gareth Powell, head of healthcare at Polar Capital, pointed out that compounds like CagriSema, which combine insulin and GLP-1, require a large amount of drug components for production, making them potentially less attractive.

Furthermore, it has been reported that since the two drug components of CagriSema need to remain separated before injection, Novo Nordisk also needs to develop an injection pen with a dual-chamber design, which means a more complex manufacturing process and higher costs.

Insulin as a New Generation Target for Weight Loss Drugs

As previously mentioned, Novo Nordisk's new generation weight loss drug CagriSema has incorporated the insulin analog Cagrilintide for better weight loss results.

Henrik Sillesen, chief medical officer of health analytics company Airfinity Ltd., pointed out that after GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon, insulin has become the next important target actively explored in the field of weight loss.

Adam Steensberg, CEO of Zealand, also stated that taking insulin is milder than GLP-1 drugs, and while GLP-1 drugs may eliminate patients' appetite, insulin helps patients maintain a feeling of fullness for a longer time.

In response to the nausea, vomiting, and other side effects associated with previous weight loss drugs, insulin is also expected to provide new solutions.

Thomas Lutz, a professor at the University of Zurich who has long been engaged in insulin research, noted that current studies suggest that amylin and GLP-1 may act on different primary targets in the brain—indicating a lower likelihood of insulin causing side effects like nausea.

Barclays analyst Emily Field commented:

“It’s almost as if insulin combined with any substance has the potential for one plus one to equal three.”

“If the trials progress smoothly, CagriSema is expected to enter the market in 2026.”