'Gastric bypass pill' causes weight loss with no side effects: Study
A daily pill could give patients the weight-loss benefits of gastric bypass surgery or drugs like Ozempic without the negative side effects, according to a new study. Dr. Jessica Duncan, a board-certified obesity medicine physician, explains the science behind the medication — and its current data limitations — on 'Morning in America.' #Health #WeightLoss #Ozempic
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Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Is Novo Nordisk's Next Generation Obesity Pipeline a Game Changer?
Novo Nordisk NVO has seen strong momentum in recent years, driven by the commercial success of its blockbuster semaglutide products, Wegovy (obesity) and Ozempic (diabetes). Building upon this success, NVO is developing several next-generation candidates in its pipeline, especially targeting the lucrative U.S. market. The most advanced candidate in Novo Nordisk's pipeline is CagriSema, a fixed-dose combination of a long-acting amylin analogue and Wegovy. CagriSema met the primary endpoint of statistically significant weight loss in two late-stage studies. The company is already planning its regulatory submission in 2026. Novo Nordisk is also developing an early-stage candidate, Amycretin, a unimolecular GLP-1 and amylin receptor agonist, which had outperformed Wegovy in a phase I study. Novo Nordisk has also been pursuing licensing deals and acquisitions to further expand its obesity pipeline. In 2023, it acquired Inversago Pharmaceuticals, which added a small-molecule oral CB1 inverse agonist, monlunabant, to its pipeline. Recently, Novo Nordisk signed a $2.2 billion deal with Septerna for developing and commercializing oral small-molecule medicines for treating obesity, type II diabetes (T2D) and other cardiometabolic diseases. Eli Lilly LLY is NVO's fierce competitor in the obesity space, which markets its tirzepatide medicines as Mounjaro for T2D and Zepbound for obesity. Like NVO, LLY is also evaluating several next-generation weight loss candidates. Lilly recently reported first phase III success of its oral GLP-1 candidate, orforglipron, which showed significant weight reduction potential in the late-stage study. Regulatory filings for orforglipron are planned in 2025 and 2026. Several other companies, like Viking Therapeutics VKTX, are also making rapid progress in the development of GLP-1-based candidates in their clinical pipeline. Viking Therapeutics' dual GIPR/GLP-1 receptor agonist, VK2735, is being developed both as oral and subcutaneous formulations for the treatment of obesity. VKTX initiated a mid-stage study on the oral formulation of the candidate earlier this year and is on track to start the late-stage study on the subcutaneous version soon. Year to date, Novo Nordisk shares have plunged 15.5% compared with the industry's decline of 2.3%. The company has also underperformed the sector and the S&P 500 during the same time frame, as seen in the chart below. The stock is currently trading above its 50-day moving average, but below its 200-day moving average. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Novo Nordisk is trading at a premium to the industry, as seen in the chart below. Going by the price/earnings ratio, the company's shares currently trade at 17.37 forward earnings, which is higher than 14.95 for the industry. However, the stock is trading much below its five-year mean of 29.25. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Earnings estimates for 2025 have improved from $3.80 to $3.84 per share over the past 60 days. During the same time frame, Novo Nordisk's 2026 earnings per share estimates have improved from $4.60 to $4.64. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research The stock's return on equity on a trailing 12-month basis is 80.95%, which is higher than 33.56% for the large drugmaker industry, as seen in the chart below. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Novo Nordisk currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) : Free Stock Analysis Report Eli Lilly and Company (LLY) : Free Stock Analysis Report Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (VKTX) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research
New York Post
an hour ago
- New York Post
Doctors warn about ‘very real risks' of Ozempic ‘golden dosing' trend: ‘Recipes for disaster'
GLP-1 users might be jabbing for weight loss, but many are trying to combat cash loss by squeezing an extra dose out of their medication. The trend, dubbed 'golden dosing,' has been hyped by social media users as a way to get more bang for your buck. But doctors are warning it could be dangerous — and even set back your weight loss goals. 'Using a medication outside of its prescribed method is always risky — and in this case, especially unnecessary,' Dr. Michael Snyder, medical director of Bariatric Surgery at Rose Medical Center and an in-house expert at FuturHealth, told The Post. Advertisement 4 Surveys show that roughly 1 in 8 US adults have tried GLP-1 drugs. millaf – What is golden dosing? GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegovy come in injectable pens that contain four doses, with each device lasting about a month. But some users have noticed that their pens often have leftover liquid after their final jab. This extra medication isn't a mistake. It's designed to allow for an initial flow check and to ensure that each of the four doses is accurate and complete. Advertisement Nevertheless, some TikTok users are extracting this leftover liquid with syringes and needles, using it as a fifth and final 'golden dose.' With out of pockets costs for these drugs sometimes topping $1,000 a pen, pulling out the extra medication has become a way to cut back a bit on exorbitant costs. But experts say the trend raises some major red flags. 'The 'golden dose' is more of a cost-saving strategy than one focused on safety and effectiveness,' Dr. Shiara Melissa Ortiz-Pujols, a bariatric surgeon at Northwell Health, told The Post. Advertisement 4 Typically, GLP-1 pens contain four doses. Fernanda – A dose of confusion GLP-1 pens deliver pre-measured doses that are carefully prescribed by healthcare providers based on factors like weight and health status. 'Any deviation — even what might seem like a 'small' one — can disrupt how your body responds,' Snyder warned. Advertisement GLP-1s are typically titrated, meaning the dosage is gradually increased over time to help the body adjust to the drug. 'As we increase the dose, we expect greater effectiveness, but we also face a higher risk of severe side effects,' Ortiz-Pujols explained. 4 Taking too much of the medication can lead to painful gastrointestinal effects. – Increasing your dose too quickly or taking inconsistent amounts week to week can worsen side effects, she said. It could also complicate your treatment plan, making it difficult for doctors to accurately track how your body is responding to the medications and make informed adjustments based on your personal needs, Snyder cautioned. From hack to hazard Attempting to recover leftover medication using a syringe also carries 'very real risks' for your health, Snyder said. Even minor miscalculations can lead to overdoses, triggering symptoms like nausea, vomiting and even pancreatitis. Advertisement 4 There's a major risk for bacterial growth if the syringe isn't completely sterile. Jo Panuwat D – On the flip side, underdosing can blunt the drug's effectiveness, resulting in weight regain and glucose instability. 'To put it simply, how comfortable would you feel using what you think is the 'right amount' of a blood pressure medication, a blood thinner, or a narcotic?' Snyder posed. 'All of those could be recipes for disaster. This situation is no different.' A hidden danger Advertisement The trend also poses a serious risk of infection. 'GLP-1 pens are designed to be used as a sealed system,' Snyder said. 'Using an external syringe breaks sterility, exposing the medication to bacteria during handling — even from clean-looking surfaces or hands.' This can lead to local infections at the injection site or even systemic infections, Snyder noted, emphasizing that the risk is particularly high for those who reuse syringes or directly touch the drug solution. 'There's no reliable way to make this DIY method safe,' Snyder said. 'That's why these pens are single-use and designed for highly controlled administration.'
Business Wire
3 hours ago
- Business Wire
Navitus Drug Trend Report: Keeping Costs Low for Plans and Members in an Era of Accelerating Inflation
MADISON, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Navitus, the nation's first transparent, pass-through pharmacy benefit manager (PBM), released its ninth annual Drug Trend Report today, revealing how commercial plan sponsors saved millions in prescription costs while maintaining high-quality member care. 30% of Navitus clients spent less in 2024 than in the previous year, while overall client book of business drug cost trend was managed to 7%. The data shows that medications such as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are creating unprecedented financial pressure on plan sponsors as utilization for diabetes treatment increased 26% year-over-year. Overall health spending in the United States is nearly $4.9 trillion and projected to increase nearly 6% annually over the next decade. 1 A subset of this, prescription drug spending, was estimated to be $487 billion in 2024, an industry-wide 11.4% increase over the previous year, compared to 7% for Navitus clients. While the industry faces these escalating cost pressures, our latest Drug Trend Report highlights how Navitus continues to outperform industry trends and save clients money in this challenging environment, including companies such as Progressive Insurance. 'Navitus stands out for its commitment to transparency and managing to lowest net cost, which has significantly benefited Progressive and its members. From the outset, their 100% pass-through model has ensured that we receive the full value of manufacturer rebates and discounts, directly translating to reduced pharmacy costs,' said Heidi Minter, Data Analyst, Benefits & Design Services, Progressive Insurance. The Navitus Drug Trend Report revealed three critical trends influencing the broader industry: 1. 26% increase in GLP-1 RAs use for treatment of type 2 diabetes. While delivering significant clinical benefits, these medications are contributing substantially to pharmaceutical cost increases for benefit plans: Net trend in the diabetes category increased 8.5%, driven by growth in both the use of GLP-1 RAs, including Ozempic, Mounjaro and Trulicity, and a 16% increase in use of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2s), including Farxiga and Jardiance. The prevalence and cost of GLP-1 RAs and SLGT-2s resulted in an overall unit cost increase of 3.0% for the diabetes category, in spite of the net cost decrease of more than 28% for insulin in 2024. 2. Biosimilars delivered $315 million in savings with a 60% reduction in Humira costs. Targeted immunomodulators (TIMs) treat a wide range of autoimmune disorders, from rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis to inflammatory bowel diseases. The launch of Humira biosimilar alternatives in 2023 significantly changed the landscape of the category as these clinically-equivalent, much lower cost options were added to formulary. After adding biosimilars to formulary, Navitus took a decisive step to lower costs further by removing Humira from formulary in June 2024. This led to key results including: Over $315 million in upfront cost savings. 60% reduction in net costs per claim. 3. Specialty medication utilization increased 12%. Approximately 75% of new drug approvals have been for specialty or medical specialty agents, and that trend is expected to continue in the next two years. Key factors included: Oncology net trend increased more than 13%, driven by both higher utilization and unit cost: Utilization of newer breast cancer treatments (Kisqali, Verzenio) increased 20%, driving overall cost. In specialty dermatology, Dupixent (dupilumab) emerged as the most rapidly growing drug of 2024. The category saw a net trend increase of more than 45% and Dupixent represented 96% of category cost and utilization. While increased use of newer, more expensive agents like Kesimpta created upward pressure within the multiple sclerosis category, generics represented more than 50% of prescriptions filled at 10% of the cost. Expand 'Our annual Drug Trend Report confirms we were able to control year-over-year costs for commercial clients - both large and small - and deliver savings greater than the estimated industry averages,' said Sharon Faust, PharmD, MBA, CSP, Chief Pharmacy Officer, Navitus Health Solutions. 'Deploying generic-first strategies, facilitating adoption of new biosimilars, ensuring 100% pass-through of negotiated rebates and discounts, and supporting clinically appropriate prescribing, utilization and formulary management remain core to our focus.' Access the Navitus Drug Trend Report executive summary here: Methodology: The Navitus drug trend is calculated by comparing the net total cost per-member per-month (PMPM) for 2024 to that for 2023. Net cost PMPM represents full-year (Q1-Q4) data for total member copays and plan paid amounts minus manufacturer rebates and fees. This value is divided by the total number of members and by 12 months of the year. The data represents employer plan sponsors and health plans. In order to be included organizations must have been with Navitus for two full calendar years. * Due to varying coverage decisions by clients, GLP-1s for weight loss were not included in the Drug Trend Report, yet they still warrant thoughtful consideration and conversation in the overall picture of trend and future decisions. The DTR only represents prescriptions under the pharmacy benefit. 40% of Rx spend is through the medical benefit and warrants careful consideration by plans. Sources: About Navitus Navitus remains the nation's first transparent, pass-through pharmacy benefit manager (PBM). It uniquely brings clarity to drug pricing and takes costs out of the drug supply chain. Unlike traditional PBMs that generate profit by retaining an undisclosed portion of rebates and discounts negotiated with drug manufacturers and pharmacies, Navitus passes along the complete savings to clients, enabling them to make medication more affordable for their members. Navitus was established more than 20 years ago by Navitus Health Solutions, LLC, a pioneering pharmacy solutions company. The organization delivers a range of services through portfolio brands including Navitus, Lumicera, Archimedes. Owned by SSM Health and Costco, Navitus Health Solutions serves over 18 million lives across 800 clients including employers, unions, government plans, payors and health systems. For more information, please visit
