-
Sihuan Pharmaceutical’s Huisheng Pharm Strikes Exclusive Deal for Semaglutide Biosimilar in China
•
China’s Sihuan Pharmaceutical Holdings Group Ltd (HKG: 0460) has announced an exclusive licensing agreement between its subsidiary Huisheng Pharm and MEIYOUNG. The deal pertains to Huisheng’s biosimilar version of Denmark-based Novo Nordisk’s (NYSE: NVO) weight loss drug semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy) for the treatment of overweight or obesity in China. Terms of…
-
Guangdong Zhongsheng Pharmaceutical’s RAY1225 Shows Positive Results in Phase II Study
•
Guangdong Zhongsheng Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd (SHE: 002317), a China-based pharmaceutical company, has announced positive top-line results from Part A of a Phase II clinical study for its Category 1 innovative polypeptide drug candidate, RAY1225. The drug demonstrated significant superiority over placebo in achieving weight loss targets and alleviating multiple cardiovascular…
-
Laekna and Eli Lilly & Co. Enter Clinical Cooperation to Advance Obesity Treatment LAE102
•
Sino-US biotech company Laekna, Inc. (HKG: 2105) has announced a significant clinical cooperation agreement with US pharmaceutical major Eli Lilly & Co., (NYSE: LLY), aimed at accelerating the global clinical development of Laekna’s obesity treatment candidate, LAE102. Under the terms of the agreement, Lilly will take on the responsibility for…
-
Novo Nordisk Launches Semaglutide for Weight Management in China
•
Denmark-based healthcare giant Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE: NVO) has announced the official market launch of semaglutide in China for long-term weight management. Globally, Novo Nordisk markets the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) under the trade name Wegovy for weight loss, expanding access to this treatment for individuals seeking to manage…
-
Eli Lilly’s Tirzepatide Shows Sustained Weight Loss in 176-Week Study
•
US pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) has released 176-week follow-up data from its Phase III SURMOUNT-1 study for tirzepatide, marking the longest completed study to date for the dual GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonist. This data provides significant insights into the drug’s…
-
Sunshine Lake Pharma Inks Licensing Deal with Apollo Therapeutics for APL-18881
•
China-based Sunshine Lake Pharma Co., Ltd., (HKG: 1558) a member of the HEC Group, has entered into a licensing agreement with UK-headquartered Apollo Therapeutics Group Limited for the development of APL-18881 (HEC88473). This strategic deal grants Apollo exclusive rights to develop and commercialize the drug outside of Greater China, while…
-
Gan & Lee’s GZR18 Shows Significant Weight Loss in Phase IIb Study at ObesityWeek 2024
•
Gan & Lee Pharmaceuticals (SHA: 603087), a China-based pharmaceutical company, has announced the oral presentation of results from the Phase IIb study for its glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, GZR18, at ObesityWeek 2024. The drug is administered once per week and targets the obese or overweight Chinese population. Study Design…
-
Ascletis Pharma’s ASC47 Showcases Promising Weight Loss Results in Phase I Clinical Trial
•
Ascletis Pharma Inc. (HKG: 1672), a China-based pharmaceutical company, has announced positive results from a Phase I clinical study for its drug candidate ASC47 in Australia. This in-house developed therapy is designed to facilitate weight loss without the loss of muscle mass, offering a potential new option for obesity management.…
-
Novo Nordisk Secures Global Licensing Agreement with Ascendis Pharma for TransCon Technology
•
Denmark-based healthcare giant Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO; CPH: NOVO-B) has entered into a licensing agreement with compatriot firm Ascendis Pharma A/S (NASDAQ: ASND), a specialist in rare diseases. The collaboration grants Novo Nordisk exclusive rights to utilize Ascendis’ TransCon technology platform globally for the development, manufacturing, and commercialization of proprietary…
-
Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro Approved in Hong Kong for Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes Treatment
•
Eli Lilly & Co. (NYSE: LLY) has received market approval from Hong Kong’s Department of Health for its Mounjaro (tirzepatide) in KwikPen presentation, marking a significant step in the treatment of weight management and type 2 diabetes. Mounjaro is indicated for adults with obesity (BMI of 30 kg/m^2 or greater)…
-
Humanwell Healthcare Receives NMPA Approval for Chemically Synthesized Semaglutide Clinical Trial
•
Humanwell Healthcare (Group) Co., Ltd (SHA: 600079), a leading healthcare company based in China, has announced that it has received clinical trial approval from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for its Category 2.2 chemically synthesized semaglutide injection, intended for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1…
-
Eccogene Inc. Secures $60 Million Milestone Payment from AstraZeneca for ECC5004/AZD5004
•
Sino-US firm Eccogene Inc. announced on October 23rd that it is set to receive a $60 million payment from AstraZeneca (AZ, NASDAQ: AZN) following the successful achievement of development milestones for ECC5004/AZD5004, including the dosing of the first patient in the Phase 2b trial. This payment is a part of…
-
Novo Nordisk’s Semaglutide Shows 14% Reduction in Cardiovascular Events in Landmark SOUL Trial
•
Copenhagen-based healthcare giant Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO) has declared the primary outcomes of the SOUL cardiovascular outcomes trial, showcasing that its oral glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue, semaglutide, successfully reduced major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) by 14%. The SOUL trial, a global, multi-center, randomized, double-blinded, and parallel-controlled study, enrolled 9,650 individuals…
-
Novo Nordisk Expands Legal Campaign to 50 Cases Against Semaglutide Compounders
•
Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO) has escalated its legal battles in the healthcare sector by filing a lawsuit against another semaglutide compounder, increasing the total number of such cases to 50. The Danish pharmaceutical giant, along with Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY), has initiated legal campaigns targeting medical spas, weight loss clinics,…
-
BrightGene’s BGM0504 Shows Promise in Phase II Obesity Study Without Diabetes
•
BrightGene Bio-Medical Technology Co., Ltd (SHA: 688166), a Chinese biopharmaceutical company, has announced positive results from the Phase II clinical study (CTR20233198) for its investigational drug BGM0504. This dual agonist targets GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide 1) and GIP (glucose-dependent insulin stimulating polypeptide) receptors and is being studied for the treatment of…
-
Huadong Medicine Secures NMPA Approval for Semaglutide Biosimilar, Aims to Capture Weight Loss Market
•
Nanjing-based Huadong Medicine Co., Ltd (SHE: 000963) has received clinical trial approval from China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for its biosimilar version of Novo Nordisk’s (NYSE: NVO) weight loss drug semaglutide, which is marketed under the names Ozempic and Wegovy. Huadong Medicine’s biosimilar will be evaluated for weight management…
-
Eli Lilly Expands Collaboration with KeyBioscience to Develop Obesity Treatments Using DACRA Platform
•
Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) has announced an extension of its collaboration with KeyBioscience AG, a subsidiary of Danish biotech Nordic Bioscience, to advance the development of Dual Amylin Calcitonin Receptor Agonists (DACRA). This new class of potential treatments targets obesity and related disorders, marking a significant step in…
-
Eli Lilly & Co. Boosts Suzhou Plant with $211M to Meet Diabetes and Obesity Drug Demand
•
Eli Lilly & Co.(NYSE: LLY)’s China subsidiary is poised to invest a substantial RMB 1.5 billion (USD 211.95 million) to expand its manufacturing capabilities in Suzhou, a strategic move aimed at augmenting the production of drugs for type 2 diabetes and obesity. This capital expenditure is set to not only…
-
Kailera Therapeutics Emerges with USD 400 Million in Series A Funding for Anti-Obesity Pipeline
•
Kailera Therapeutics, a newly launched US-based biotechnology company, secured USD 400 million in Series A financing last week. Previously operating as Hercules CM Newco Inc., the company was established by a consortium of investors including Bain Capital Life Sciences, RTW Investments, Atlas Venture, and Lyra Capital. The pipeline of Kailera…
-
Ascletis Pharma Initiates Phase I Trials for Monthly Subcutaneous and Daily Oral Obesity Treatment ASC30 in the US
•
Ascletis Pharma Inc. (HKG: 1672), a biopharmaceutical company based in China, has announced the dosing of the first batch of patients in two Phase I clinical studies for its investigational drug ASC30 in the United States. ASC30 is positioned as the world’s first and only small molecule glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor…
-
Innovent Biologics’ Mazdutide Outperforms Dulaglutide in Phase III T2D Study at EASD Meeting
•
Innovent Biologics, Inc. (HKG: 1801), a biopharmaceutical company based in China, has presented significant findings from the Phase III DREAMS-2 study on its drug candidate mazdutide at the 60th Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD). Mazdutide, a dual agonist targeting the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor…
-
Eli Lilly Partners with Haya Therapeutics to Tap the Dark Genome for Obesity Treatments
•
Eli Lilly & Co. (NYSE: LLY), a leading figure in the pharmaceutical industry, has embarked on a drug discovery partnership with Switzerland’s Haya Therapeutics, a move that underscores its commitment to advancing its anti-obesity portfolio. The collaboration will tap into Haya’s cutting-edge expertise in the dark genome, the largely non-protein-coding…
-
Manufacturing Challenges for Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic Impact Diabetes and Obesity Treatments in Europe
•
Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO), a leading Danish pharmaceutical company, has released a joint statement with the European Medicines Agency (EMA) addressing the ongoing supply challenges for its GLP-1 receptor agonist, Ozempic (semaglutide). The statement cites increased demand and manufacturing site capacity constraints as the primary factors contributing to the shortages,…
-
Novo Nordisk to Resubmit Wegovy Heart Failure Application with Updated Clinical Data
•
Denmark’s pharmaceutical giant, Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO), has reported significant findings on the efficacy of its weight management drug semaglutide, marketed as Ozempic for diabetes and Wegovy for obesity, in managing heart failure conditions. The data, published in The Lancet, encompasses results from 3,743 participants across four pivotal clinical trials:…
-
Eli Lilly Unveils $700 Million R&D Center in Boston to Boost Genetic Medicine Efforts
•
Eli Lilly & Co. (NYSE: LLY) has inaugurated its new R&D center in Boston’s Seaport area, marking a significant expansion in its research capabilities. The Lilly Seaport Innovation Center (LSC) spans 346,000 square feet and will accommodate 500 researchers, alongside 200 personnel involved in Lilly’s incubator initiative, Lilly Gateway Labs.…
-
JiAnTeBo and Sanyou Biopharmaceuticals Join Forces to Discover Metabolic Disease Targets and Develop Agonistic Antibodies
•
Guangdong JiAnTeBo Biotechnology Co., Ltd, a Chinese biotechnology company, has entered into a strategic partnership with Sanyou Biopharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. The collaboration aims to uncover new targets in metabolic diseases, including obesity, fatty liver, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease, with a focus on developing new pipelines of agonistic antibody drugs based…
-
Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy Approved in the UK to Reduce Cardiovascular Risks in Overweight Adults
•
Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO)’s anti-obesity drug Wegovy (semaglutide) has received a new indication approval in the United Kingdom, with the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) granting approval for its use in reducing the risk of serious heart problems or strokes in overweight or obese adults. This marks…
-
Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro Approved by China’s NMPA for Long-Term Weight Management
•
Eli Lilly & Co. (NYSE: LLY), a leading pharmaceutical company in the US, has announced that it has received a new market approval from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) in China for its drug Mounjaro (tirzepatide) as a long-term weight management treatment. Administered as a once-weekly injection, Mounjaro is…
-
Pfizer’s Once-Daily Danuglipron Selected for Full Clinical Development for Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity
•
Pfizer Inc. (NSE: PFIZER), a leading pharmaceutical company in the U.S., has announced that a once-daily oral formulation of danuglipron, its investigational GLP-1 agonist for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity, has been selected for full clinical development. This decision is based on positive findings from an ongoing…
-
Semaglutide Use Linked to Rare Eye Condition NAION in New Study
•
A recent study has identified a potential link between the use of GLP-1-targeted diabetes and anti-obesity drug semaglutide, marketed as Wegovy/Ozempic by Novo Nordisk, and a rare ophthalmic condition. Research published in JAMA Ophthalmology revealed that physicians at Harvard and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston discovered an increased risk…
-
Eli Lilly & Co. Strikes Deal for Radionetics’ GPCR-Targeted Radiopharmaceuticals
•
Eli Lilly & Co. (NYSE: LLY), a leading pharmaceutical company based in the US, has entered into a strategic partnership with fellow US firm Radionetics Oncology to gain access to Radionetics’ pipeline of innovative small molecule G protein coupled receptor (GPCR) targeted radiopharmaceuticals. Under the terms of the agreement, Lilly…
-
Boehringer Ingelheim Initiates Clinical Trial for Novel Anti-Obesity Drug
•
Boehringer Ingelheim (BI), a German pharmaceutical company, has announced the commencement of clinical development for BI 3034701, a potential first-in-class anti-obesity drug. The molecule was originally developed by Denmark-based Gubra A/S (XCSE: GUBRA) and is a long-acting triple-agonist peptide designed to target receptors associated with inducing weight loss, positioning it…
-
Moon Biotech Secures Exclusive State-Owned Fund Investment in Series C+ Round
•
Moon (Guangzhou) Biotech Co., Ltd, a leading microbiome platform company based in China, has reportedly secured RMB 300 million (USD 41.3 million) in a Series C+ financing round. The funding was exclusively provided by SDIC JULI Investment, a state-owned investment fund. Established in 2015, Moon is recognized for possessing the…
-
Supercede Therapeutics Partners with Shanghai Universities for Anti-Tumor Cachexia Drug Developmen
•
Fudan University and East China Normal University (ECNU) have entered into a global rights cooperation agreement with Supercede Therapeutics, a small-molecule start-up, to develop a novel drug aimed at anti-tumor cachexia and muscle enhancement. Under the terms of the agreement, Supercede will secure the global development and commercialization rights for…
-
Novo Nordisk’s Semaglutide for Long-Term Weight Management Receives NMPA Approval
•
Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO, CPH: NOVO-B), a leading healthcare company from Denmark, has announced that it has received marketing approval from China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for semaglutide, indicated for long-term weight management. Globally, Novo Nordisk markets semaglutide under the trade name Wegovy for weight loss. The STEP series…
-
Novo Nordisk to Pump USD 4.1 Billion into U.S. Manufacturing Expansion
•
Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO), a Danish biopharmaceutical company, has announced plans to invest USD 4.1 billion in expanding its manufacturing capacity in the United States. This strategic move is aimed at bolstering the company’s ability to supply obesity medications along with other treatments for chronic diseases. The decision suggests that…
-
Gan & Lee Pharmaceuticals’ GZR18 Outperforms Market Similars in Weight Reduction Study
•
Gan & Lee Pharmaceuticals (SHA: 603087), a Chinese pharmaceutical company, has announced the presentation of results from a Phase Ib/IIa study for GZR18, a once-weekly glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, at the American Diabetes Association’s (ADA’s) 84th Scientific Sessions. The study evaluated GZR18’s efficacy in weight reduction for obese/overweight Chinese…
-
Innovent Biologics’ Mazdutide Shows Promise in Phase III Obesity Trial
•
Innovent Biologics Inc. (HKG: 1801), a biopharmaceutical company based in China, has announced the presentation of key results from the first Phase III clinical trial of mazdutide in Chinese adults with overweight or obesity at the ADA Scientific Sessions 2024. The trial, known as GLORY-1 (NCT05607680), is a multi-center, randomized,…
-
Apeloa Pharmaceutical Partners with Beijing Highthink for CRO Services on Semaglutide Generic
•
Apeloa Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd (SHE: 000739), a China-based pharmaceutical company, has forged a strategic partnership with Beijing Highthink Pharmaceutical Technology Service Co., Ltd. The collaboration is aimed at providing Contract Research Organization (CRO) services, specifically to support a clinical study for Apeloa’s generic version of semaglutide. Under the terms of…
-
Pfizer Forges Partnership with Flagship Pioneering for Novel Obesity Treatments
•
Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) has initiated a strategic partnership with Flagship Pioneering, a life sciences innovation enterprise, to embark on a collaborative quest for groundbreaking obesity treatments in 2023. The alliance will tap into ProFound Therapeutics’ proprietary technology platform, a Flagship-founded entity, to bolster Pfizer’s research and development…
-
Hengrui Medicine’s Vitiligo Treatment SHR0302 and Diabetes Drug HRS9531 Get Green Light from China’s NMPA
•
Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Co., Ltd (SHA: 600276), a leading biopharmaceutical company based in China, has announced that it has received separate clinical trial approvals from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for two of its drug candidates, SHR0302 and HRS9531. SHR0302, a highly selective Janus kinase 1 (JAK1) inhibitor, has…
-
3SBio Secures License for Semaglutide Biosimilar from Hybio Pharmaceutical
•
3SBio Inc. (HKG: 1530), a biopharmaceutical company based in China, has announced a licensing agreement with fellow Chinese firm Hybio Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd (SHE: 300199) for the development of a semaglutide biosimilar. Under this agreement, 3SBio will gain access to Hybio’s preclinical technical results for the drug and will be…
-
Eli Lilly Invests $5.3 Billion to Expand Manufacturing Capacity for Incretin Receptor Agonists
•
Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) has announced a significant investment of USD 5.3 billion aimed at boosting its manufacturing capacity for incretin receptor agonists Zepbound (tirzepatide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide). This initiative involves the expansion of an active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) manufacturing facility in the United States. With this investment,…
-
Roche’s CT-388 Shows Significant Weight Loss in Phase I Clinical Trial for Obesity
•
Switzerland-based healthcare giant Roche (SWX: ROG) has announced preliminary results from a Phase I study of its investigational dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist, CT-388. The study is assessing the drug’s effects in obese adults, both healthy and those with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Initial data from the healthy cohort showed that…
-
Hengrui Medicine Strikes Deal with Hercules CM Newco to Supply GLP-1 Products for Global Markets
•
Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Co., Ltd (SHA: 600276), a leading Chinese pharmaceutical company, has entered into a significant agreement to supply a range of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) products to Hercules CM Newco Inc., a newly established US firm backed by a consortium of investors including Bain Capital Life Sciences, RTW Investments,…
-
Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy Shows Durable Weight Loss and Heart Health in Extended Trials
•
At the 31st European Congress on Obesity (ECO), Denmark’s pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk (CPH: NOVO-B) presented findings from two studies on its weight loss therapy Wegovy (semaglutide). The data indicated that Wegovy’s weight loss effects can be sustained for up to 4 years, along with cardiovascular benefits, irrespective of the…
-
Laekna’s ActRIIA Monoclonal Antibody LAE102 Gets Green Light from China’s CDE for Obesity Treatment
•
Sino-US biotech firm Laekna has announced that it has received clinical trial approval from the Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) for its monoclonal antibody drug candidate, LAE102, intended for the treatment of obesity. This development follows the drug’s previous clinical trial approval in the US last month. In-house developed, LAE102…
-
Novo Nordisk’s Q1 2024 Global Sales Surge 24% YOY on Strength of GLP-1 Therapies
•
Denmark-based pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk (CPH: NOVO-B) reported a substantial 24% year-on-year (YOY) increase in global sales for the first quarter of 2024, reaching DKK 65.3 billion (USD 9.4 billion) at constant exchange rates (CER). The growth was primarily attributed to strong performances in glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)-based drugs and obesity…
-
Tonghua Dongbao Pharmaceuticals Inks Licensing Deal for Semaglutide in China
•
Tonghua Dongbao Pharmaceuticals (SHA: 600867), a Chinese pharmaceutical company, has entered into a licensing agreement with fellow Chinese firm Beijing QL Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd. concerning QL Biopharmaceutical’s glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) product, semaglutide (ZT001). According to the terms of the agreement, Tonghua Dongbao will secure the exclusive commercialization rights for ZT001,…
-
China’s Sciwind Biosciences Partners with HK inno.N for Ecnoglutide Rights in South Korea
•
China’s Sciwind Biosciences Co., Ltd has entered into a licensing and partnership agreement with South Korea’s HK inno.N Corporation (KOSDAQ: 195940) for the development and commercialization of ecnoglutide injection (XW003), a novel glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analog, for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, obesity, and metabolic associated severe hyperglycemia (MASH)…
-
Eli Lilly & Co. Raises Full-Year Guidance on Strength of Q1 2024 Results and Production Expansion
•
Eli Lilly & Co. (NYSE: LLY) has reported financial results for the first quarter of 2024 that exceeded expectations, with sales up 26% year-on-year (YOY) to USD 8.77 billion. The growth was driven by the strong performance of the weight-loss drug Mounjaro (tirzepatide), diabetes therapy Zepbound (tirzepatide), Jardiance (empagliflozin) for…
-
Huadong Medicine’s HDM1005 Receives US FDA Clinical Trial Approval for Weight Management
•
China-based Huadong Medicine Co., Ltd (SHE: 000963) has announced that it has received clinical trial approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its investigational drug HDM1005. This long-acting agonist targets the GLP-1 receptor and GIP receptor and is under development for weight management in overweight or obese…
-
Boehringer Ingelheim Surpasses Bayer in Pharma Sales with EUR 20.8 Billion in 2023
•
Boehringer Ingelheim, a major German pharmaceutical company, has released its financial report for 2023, announcing human pharma sales of EUR 20.8 billion (USD 22.1 billion), marking a 10.3% year-on-year (YOY) increase, excluding currency effects. Additionally, animal health sales rose by 6.9% YOY to EUR 4.7 billion (USD 4.9 billion), leading…
-
Ningbo Menovo Partners with University of Michigan to Develop GLP-1 Delivery System
•
Ningbo Menovo Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd (SHA: 603538), a China-based company, has announced a strategic partnership with the University of Michigan in the United States. Financial details of the collaboration remain undisclosed. The partnership will focus on developing an innovative delivery system for glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) drug targets, with the University…
-
Laekna’s Anti-ActRIIA Antibody LAE102 Clears FDA Hurdle for Obesity Treatment Trial
•
Sino-American biotech firm Laekna has announced that it has received clinical trial approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its proprietary monoclonal antibody, LAE102. The molecule is set to be evaluated as a potential treatment for obesity, a condition that affects a significant portion of the global…
-
Apeloa Pharmaceutical Partners with Heze Pharmaceutical for Semaglutide Biosimilar Development
•
Apeloa Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd (SHE: 000739), a prominent player in the Chinese pharmaceutical industry, has entered into a strategic partnership with Zhejiang Heze Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd to co-develop a semaglutide biosimilar. While the financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed, the collaboration will encompass joint research and development…
-
Gan & Lee Pharmaceuticals Commences Clinical Trial for Innovative GLP-1 Agonist GZR18
•
Gan & Lee Pharmaceuticals (SHA: 603087), a leading Chinese pharmaceutical company, has announced the commencement of dosing in a Phase I clinical study for its investigational GLP-1 receptor agonist, GZR18 tablets. This oral formulation is designed to target GPRC5D, BCMA, and CD3, and is intended to treat patients with recurrent…
-
China’s CDE Issues Guidelines for Semaglutide Biosimilar Clinical Trials with Weight Management Focus
•
The Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) in China has released a new set of Guidelines aimed at streamlining the design of clinical trials for semaglutide biosimilars, with a specific emphasis on weight management indications. These Guidelines are now open for public feedback for a period of one month, allowing stakeholders…
-
Guangdong Zhongsheng Reports Positive Phase I Results for Innovative Weight Loss Drug RAY1225
•
Guangdong Zhongsheng Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd (SHE: 002317), a China-based biopharmaceutical company, has announced promising top-line results from a Phase I clinical trial for its innovative polypeptide drug candidate, RAY1225. This long-acting glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) therapy features dual activation of both the GLP-1 and glucose-dependent insulin-promoting polypeptide (GIP) receptors. The randomized,…
-
Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy Leads in Total US Prescriptions for Weight-Loss Market
•
Novo Nordisk (CPH: NOVO-B), a leading pharmaceutical company, has seen its weight-loss drug Wegovy (semaglutide) take the lead in total US prescriptions over its competitor Eli Lilly’s (NYSE: LLY) Zepbound (tirzepatide), according to Reuters. Despite this, Zepbound has seen more new prescriptions filled, indicating a close competition in a market…
-
Huadong Medicine Secures NMPA Approval for HDM1005, Targeting Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity
•
Huadong Medicine Co., Ltd (SHE: 000963), based in China, has announced that it has received clinical trial approval from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for its investigational drug HDM1005. This long-acting agonist targets both the GLP-1 and GIP receptors and is being developed for the treatment of type 2…
-
FDA Approves Wegovy for Cardiovascular Risk Reduction in Obese Patients, First of Its Kind
•
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted an indication extension approval last week to Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO) for its GLP-1 receptor agonist Wegovy (semaglutide), allowing it to be used for the reduction of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in overweight or obese adults with established cardiovascular disease (CVD).…
-
Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic Meets Phase III Endpoints in Type 2 Diabetes and Chronic Kidney Disease Study
•
Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO), a Denmark-based pharmaceutical company, has this week published results from a Phase III study assessing the impact of the GLP-1 receptor agonist Ozempic (semaglutide) on the progression of renal impairment in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Following the trial’s discontinuation…
-
Hybio Pharmaceutical Gets FDA Nod for Liraglutide Raw Materials with DMF Adequacy Letter
•
Hybio Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd (SHE: 300199), a China-based pharmaceutical company, has announced that it has received a Drug Master File (DMF) First Adequate Letter from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its liraglutide raw materials. The letter indicates no comments and no deficiencies, which is a significant step…
-
Sino-US Laekna’s LAE102 Clinical Trial Filing Accepted for Review in Obesity and Metabolic Disorders
•
Sino-US Laekna (HKG: 2105) has announced that its clinical trial application for LAE102, an antibody targeting adult obesity and metabolic disorders, has been accepted for review by the Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE). LAE102 is a potent and selective monoclonal antibody against ActRIIA, known for its regulatory roles in tumor…
-
Cutia Therapeutic’s CU-20401 Shows Promising Safety and Efficacy in Phase I Abdominal Fat Reduction Study
•
Cutia Therapeutic (HKG: 2487), a China-based dermatology specialist, has announced the successful completion of a Phase I study for its potential Category 1 drug CU-20401, a recombinant mutant collagenase, which is being investigated for the treatment of abdominal fat accumulation. The single-center, open-label, placebo-controlled, dosage-escalation study enrolled 48 subjects in…
-
Zhongsheng Pharmaceutical Initiates Phase II Trials for Polypeptide Drug RAY1225 in Diabetes and Obesity
•
Guangdong Zhongsheng Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd (SHE: 002317), a Chinese pharmaceutical company, has announced the initiation of two Phase II clinical studies, SHINING and REBUILDING, for its Category 1 innovative polypeptide drug candidate RAY1225. These studies aim to assess the efficacy of RAY1225 as a treatment for type 2 diabetes and…
-
Eli Lilly’s 2023 Revenue Soars on Metabolism Drugs, Anticipates Further Growth in 2024
•
Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) reported a robust 2023 financial performance with a 20% year-on-year (YOY) increase in revenue, reaching USD 34.1 billion, as detailed in their Q4 2023 report released this week. This growth was substantially driven by the company’s metabolism drugs, indicating a recovery from the COVID-19…
-
Novo Holdings to Acquire Catalent for $16.5 Billion in Strategic Move to Enhance Biopharmaceutical Capacity
•
Novo Holdings, the principal shareholder of Denmark’s Novo Nordisk (CPH: NOVO-B), has announced a definitive agreement to acquire contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) Catalent (NYSE: CTLT) for $16.5 billion. The transaction is expected to be finalized by the end of the year, pending customary regulatory conditions. This acquisition comes…
-
Joincare Pharmaceuticals Gets Green Light for Semaglutide Biosimilar Clinical Trial
•
Joincare Pharmaceutical Group Industry Co., Ltd (SHA: 600380), a Chinese pharmaceutical entity, has announced that it has obtained clinical trial approval from China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for its biosimilar version of Denmark’s major pharmaceutical company, Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide. Joincare is progressing with the development of this product candidate,…
-
Novo Nordisk Delivers Strong 2023 Results with Record-Breaking Sales
•
Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE: NVO), a Denmark-based pharmaceutical company, has announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and the full year of 2023, showcasing a remarkable performance. The company’s revenues reached DKK 232.3 billion (USD 33.75 billion), reflecting a 36% year-on-year growth in constant currency terms. The standout product…
-
Junde Pharmaceuticals Licenses Weight-Reducing Capsule JTX-102 to Changchun GeneScience
•
Xiamen Junde Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd., a China-based pharmaceutical company, has entered into a licensing agreement with Changchun GeneScience Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., granting the latter exclusive commercialization rights for JTX-102, a gastric volume-occupying and weight-reducing capsule, across China, including mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau. Under the terms of the…
-
Sanofi CEO Paul Hudson Rules Out GLP-1 Competition, Eyes Next-Gen Weight-Management Therapies
•
Paul Hudson, CEO of Sanofi (NASDAQ: SNY), stated this week that the France-based pharmaceutical company has no plans to develop a competing product in the GLP-1 drug market, dominated by Novo Nordisk (CPH: NOVO-B) and Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY), despite significant demand. However, Houman Ashrafian, head of R&D, indicated that…
-
Novo Nordisk Expands U.S. Ties, Collaborates with Flagship Pioneering on Cardiometabolic Advances
•
Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO) is advancing its U.S. partnerships by joining forces with biotech incubator Flagship Pioneering to drive pre-clinical breakthroughs for cardiometabolic disorders. This collaboration marks the initial phase of a strategic alliance inked in 2022, spotlighting novel therapeutics for cardiometabolic and rare diseases. As part…
-
Servier Faces $475 Million Penalty Over Banned Antidiabetic Drug Mediator in France
•
French pharmaceutical company Servier has been ordered by a French court to pay €430.6 million ($475 million) in a partial reversal of a 2021 decision concerning its now-banned antidiabetic drug, Mediator (benfluorex). The new ruling has found Servier guilty of fraud, improper acquisition of regulatory authorizations, aggravated deception, and involuntary…
-
Innovent Biologics Initiates Phase III Trial for Mazdutide in Obesity Treatment
•
Innovent Biologics Inc., a biopharmaceutical company based in China (HKG: 1801), has announced the first patient dosing in the Phase III GLORY-2 study, which is assessing the higher dose 9mg version of mazdutide (IBI362) for the treatment of obesity in Chinese adults. Mazdutide is a dual agonist drug candidate targeting…
-
Eli Lilly Teams Up with Fauna Bio to Uncover New Anti-Obesity Drug Targets
•
Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY) has entered a collaboration agreement with fellow U.S. firm Fauna Bio to explore novel anti-obesity drug targets, marking a significant step in the competitive weight-loss therapies market. The financial terms of the deal include an undisclosed upfront payment, potential sales royalties, and up to $494 million…
-
Novo Nordisk Acquires Alkermes’ Irish Production Site for $92.5 Million to Boost GLP-1 Output
•
Novo Nordisk (CPH: NOVO-B), a Danish pharmaceutical giant, has reached an agreement to acquire a production facility in Ireland from Alkermes (NASDAQ: ALKS), a drug manufacturer, along with related assets for a total consideration of USD 92.5 million. The transaction, which is subject to customary adjustments and fulfillment of closing…
-
Roche Expands Beyond Oncology with USD 2.7 Billion Carmot Therapeutics Acquisition
•
Swiss pharmaceutical giant Roche (SWX: ROG) has entered into an agreement to acquire U.S. biotech firm Carmot Therapeutics, a specialist in anti-obesity and diabetes drugs, in a transaction valued at USD 2.7 billion with potential milestone payments of up to USD 400 million. The acquisition is expected to close in…
-
Pfizer’s Danuglipron Phase IIb Trial Achieves Weight Loss Goals Amid Tolerability Concerns
•
Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) announced last week that its Phase IIb trial evaluating danuglipron, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, in adults with obesity but without type 2 diabetes (T2D) has successfully met its primary endpoint. The study demonstrated significant reductions in body weight from baseline, with participants achieving placebo-adjusted mean…
-
Novo Nordisk Sets February 2024 Launch for Wegovy in Japan, Expanding into Asia
•
Novo Nordisk (CPH: NOVO-B), headquartered in Denmark, has announced that it will launch its anti-obesity medicine Wegovy (semaglutide) in the Japan market on February 22, 2024, marking the GLP-1 drug’s debut in the Asia region. Wegovy will be priced at JPY 7,504 (USD 50.4) for the starter dose and JPY…
-
Novo Nordisk Invests DKK 16 Billion to Expand French Production Facility
•
Denmark-based pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk (CPH: NOVO-B) has initiated an expansion of its production facility in France with an investment of DKK 16 billion (USD 2.3 billion). This strategic move aims to accommodate future demand for its portfolio of serious chronic diseases, including GLP-1 products. The investment will be directed…
-
Belgium Bans Ozempic for Weight Loss as Global Shortage Persists
•
Belgium has issued a royal decree prohibiting the use of Novo Nordisk’s (NYSE: NVO) diabetes drug Ozempic (semaglutide) for weight-loss treatment, following a similar move by the UK in July, according to a Reuters report. Despite previous requests in October 2022 for doctors to cease off-label prescriptions for obesity, the…
-
Eli Lilly’s Zepbound Approved by FDA for Chronic Weight Management in Adults
•
Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY) has received registration approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its once-weekly injection Zepbound (tirzepatide). The drug is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight conditions, including those with at least one…
-
AstraZeneca Reports Q3 2023 Revenue Growth and Oncology Milestones
•
UK-based pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca (AZ; NASDAQ: AZN) has released its financial results for the third quarter of 2023, showing a total revenue increase of 6% year-on-year (YOY) to USD 11.5 billion in constant currency terms. Product sales accounted for USD 11.02 billion, marking a 5% YOY increase. Excluding COVID-19 medicines,…
-
Eccogene Secures Exclusive Licensing Deal with AstraZeneca for GLP-1 Agonist ECC5004
•
Sino-US firm Eccogene Inc. has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with UK pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca (AZ; NASDAQ: AZN). Under the terms of the agreement, AstraZeneca will take over the development and commercialization rights to Eccogene’s GLP-1 receptor agonist drug candidate, ECC5004, for the treatment of obesity, type 2 diabetes,…
-
Novo Nordisk Reports 33% YOY Growth in Q3 2023 with Diabetes and Obesity Care Driving Sales
•
Denmark-based pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO) has released its Q3 2023 earnings report, showcasing a 33% year-on-year (YOY) growth in constant exchange rates (CER) to DKK 166.4 billion (USD 23.7 billion) over the first nine months. The company identified diabetes care and obesity care as the key growth drivers,…
-
Innovent Biologics’ Mazdutide Shows Promising Weight Loss Results in Phase II Trial
•
China-based Innovent Biologics Inc., (HKG: 1801) has revealed compelling Phase II data for its weight loss drug candidate, mazdutide (IBI362), after 48 weeks of treatment. The higher dose (9mg) of mazdutide demonstrated significant efficacy in achieving weight loss among Chinese subjects with obesity, alongside favorable safety profiles and multiple metabolic…
-
Novo Nordisk Partners with GE HealthCare to Develop Non-Invasive Treatment for Chronic Diseases
•
Metabolism expert Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO) has announced a partnership with medical technology firm GE HealthCare (NASDAQ: GEHC) to develop peripheral focused ultrasound (PFUS) technology. This non-invasive approach aims to regulate metabolic function in the treatment of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity. PFUS Technology and…
-
Eli Lilly’s Tirzepatide Shows Robust Weight Loss Results in Phase III Study
•
Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY) has released compelling efficacy results from a Phase III study evaluating its GLP-1 receptor agonist, tirzepatide, in adults with obesity or overweight accompanied by comorbidities, excluding type 2 diabetes (T2D). The study successfully met its two co-primary endpoints, demonstrating superiority over placebo in weight loss after…
-
Novo Nordisk Reports 33% YOY Sales Increase, Boosts GLP-1 Drug Sales Forecast
•
Denmark-headquartered pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO) provided a financial update last week, revealing a robust 33% year-on-year (YOY) increase in sales at constant exchange rates (CER) from Q1 to Q3 this year. Notably, Q3 alone saw a significant 38% YOY jump, indicating a strong market reception for the company’s…
-
Novo Nordisk Halts Phase III Ozempic Study on Renal Impairment in Diabetes Patients
•
Denmark-based pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO) has decided to discontinue a Phase III global study evaluating the impact of the GLP-1 receptor agonist Ozempic (semaglutide) on the progression of renal impairment in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). The decision was recommended by an…
-
Novo Nordisk and Evotec Launch LAB eN² to Accelerate Drug Discovery for Rare Diseases
•
Global healthcare company Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO) and drug discovery alliance Evotec (NASDAQ: EVO) have jointly launched LAB eN², a drug discovery accelerator dedicated to translating academic research into innovative therapeutics for cardiometabolic conditions, rare blood diseases, and rare endocrine disorders. This initiative marks a significant step in bridging the…
-
United Laboratories Receives FDA Approval for Clinical Study of UBT251 for Obesity Treatment
•
United Laboratories International Holdings Ltd (HKG: 3933), a Hong Kong-based pharmaceutical company, has announced that it has received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to conduct a clinical study for its Category 1 drug candidate, UBT251, for the treatment of overweight and obesity. UBT251: A Triple Agonist…
-
Eli Lilly Sues US Sellers of Counterfeit Mounjaro Products
•
Pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY) has filed a lawsuit in the United States against medical spas, wellness centers, and compounding pharmacies that are selling unregistered products claiming to be Mounjaro (tirzepatide), the company’s GLP-1 agonist. Mounjaro has recently gained popularity for its off-label use as a weight-loss drug, prompting…
-
Innovent Biologics Plans Share Placement to Raise HKD 2.36 Billion for Global Expansion
•
China-based biotech Innovent Biologics Inc., (HKG: 1801) has issued a notice stating its intention to release 68 million shares priced at HKD 38.30 (USD 4.90), offering an 8.8% discount to the September 11, 2023, closing price. Morgan Stanley is acting as the agent for the placement, responsible for securing purchasers…
