Latest news with #Hydrox
Mint
3 days ago
- Business
- Mint
How Ozempic's maker lost its grip on the obesity market it created
In 2023, Novo Nordisk was the most valuable company in Europe, surpassing LVMH on the back of soaring demand for Ozempic and Wegovy. Today, the Danish company has lost its grip on the anti-obesity market it carved out. The company has lost market share amid production missteps and a bungled rollout of Wegovy that led to shortages. Its U.S. rival Eli Lilly—initially in the rearview mirror—has been proven to have the more effective weight-loss drug and a more promising pipeline of next-generation treatments. Novo Nordisk's research-and-development machine has disappointed, and a key marketing strategy was slow to get off the ground. Novo Nordisk's ability to stay atop a market that analysts see growing to $150 billion in annual sales is now in doubt. Its controlling shareholder this month forced a surprise ouster of the company's chief executive, Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen. And while it is still generating multibillion-dollar sales for Ozempic and Wegovy, shares have tumbled more than 50% over the past year. If Novo Nordisk doesn't turn things around, it could join a long list of companies that blew a first-mover advantage, from Sunshine Biscuits—whose Hydrox cookies were overtaken by now-iconic Oreos—to the Myspace social network. 'Everyone wants to be the first footprints on the empty beach," said Americus Reed, marketing professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. 'But it depends on how you land on that first move. The second mover is watching them make mistakes. You're able to identify those and not make those mistakes." Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen, who was pushed out as CEO of Novo Nordisk earlier this Nordisk lost market share after miscalculating demand in the launch of weight-loss drug Wegovy. A Novo Nordisk spokeswoman said the company remains the global-volume market leader in GLP-1 drugs, serving nearly two-thirds of patients taking them for diabetes and obesity. Some investors and industry watchers say Novo Nordisk's troubles stem from a cautious, reactive approach starting when the market first burst onto the scene, in contrast with a faster, more aggressive tack in production and marketing by Lilly. 'Novo is always a step behind," said Yuri Khodjamirian, chief investment officer at Tema ETFs, which owns Novo Nordisk shares. One of Novo Nordisk's early stumbles was underestimating the demand for Wegovy—the weight-loss version of semaglutide, the same compound as diabetes drug Ozempic—ahead of its 2021 launch. The company's planning was informed by its experience generating modest sales for an earlier weight-loss drug, Saxenda. Doctors were skeptical of it, and many health-insurance plans in the U.S. didn't cover weight-loss drugs. Novo Nordisk thought Wegovy might run into the same market constraints as Saxenda, so the company planned modest production levels, using a combination of in-house and contract manufacturing capacity. It wasn't enough. It took only five weeks for the prescription rate of Wegovy to exceed the level that Saxenda had taken five years to reach. Jørgensen recalled later, in an interview in 2024, that he initially thought: ''That's patients who've been lined up, there's pent-up demand, it will normalize.' It didn't. It just kept growing." The company responded by limiting demand—the last thing a drugmaker wants to do with a new product. Sales representatives asked doctors not to start new patients. The company resorted to rationing by withholding the lower, starter doses for new patients, to conserve supplies for existing patients taking the higher doses. The shortages opened the door for competition. They made it legal for special pharmacies in the U.S. to make compounded, copycat versions of semaglutide that sold for much less than list prices for Ozempic and Wegovy. Telehealth firms capitalized on the new, lower-cost supply by hawking the compounded versions, taking away market share from Novo Nordisk. Eli Lilly activated a manufacturing plant in Concord, N.C., to keep up with a surge in demand for Mounjaro and Zepbound. The shortages gave rival Eli Lilly time to catch up. Lilly introduced Mounjaro for diabetes in 2022, followed by Zepbound, a weight-loss version of the same drug, in 2023. Zepbound has been shown in studies to induce greater weight loss than Wegovy, more than 20% of body weight. Although Lilly also encountered shortages due to high demand, it was able to resolve them more quickly than Novo Nordisk. Now, weekly U.S. prescriptions for Lilly's Zepbound have surpassed Wegovy's. Mounjaro still trails Ozempic but is closing the gap. Novo Nordisk has spent billions of dollars trying to expand manufacturing capacity, including an unusual deal last year for its controlling foundation to acquire the contract manufacturer Catalent for $16 billion. The R&D race for future weight-loss drugs also has tilted in Eli Lilly's direction. Lilly has reported favorable clinical-trial data for two closely watched experimental drugs, including a pill version that analysts think could be appealing to people who don't want injections. Novo Nordisk, meanwhile, has had some R&D disappointments, including studies of an experimental combination weight-loss drug dubbed CagriSema. The less-than-expected results of one study sent Novo Nordisk shares plunging more than 20% in one day in December, wiping out nearly $100 billion in stock-market capitalization for the company. Some analysts have cut their sales forecasts for the drug. Novo Nordisk's Wegovy has been surpassed in weekly U.S. prescriptions by Lilly's Zepbound. Lilly has gained an edge on the marketing front as well. The company beat Novo Nordisk to the punch in launching a direct-to-consumer, online service selling weight-loss drugs at discounted cash prices, aimed at people who don't have insurance coverage. And it was first to strike a deal with a big telehealth firm, Ro, to sell a discounted weight-loss drug. Novo Nordisk eventually made similar moves, but months after Lilly. 'They seem to be missing a lot of these kinds of strategic endeavors to help sell into a market that is different from a lot of pharma markets," said BMO Capital Markets analyst Evan David Seigerman. The Novo Nordisk spokeswoman said the company resolved its shortages before announcing its direct-to-patient service and striking telehealth deals. Novo Nordisk isn't out of the race. The company can still turn things around by leaning into CagriSema, which generated solid weight-loss data even if it missed expectations, and by developing other new drugs that target various segments of the growing market, Seigerman said. More recently, Novo Nordisk has shown signs of being more aggressive. It signed a deal with CVS to make Wegovy the preferred weight-loss drug for members of its drug-benefit plans. Author Hanne Sindbæk, who has written two books about Novo Nordisk, says there has been an eternal tug of war inside the company between those who are guided by values—the idea that the company works for the common good rather than simply to make a profit—and those who run the business. If Novo Nordisk wants to stay in the game, it may have to lean toward the latter in choosing its next CEO. Jørgensen, the outgoing CEO, is still in his role while the company searches for a new chief. His predecessor as CEO, Lars Rebien Sørensen, who is chairman of the foundation that has voting control of the drugmaker's shares, will join the Novo Nordisk board of directors. 'Now they need somebody more business-driven," Sindbæk said. Write to Peter Loftus at and Noemie Bisserbe at
Scottish Sun
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Watch as Molly Mae and sister get into bitter spat over Tommy Fury reunion as he drives wedge between siblings
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MOLLY-MAE Hague and her sister Zoe furiously clash over her reunion with Tommy Fury in shock scenes from her reality show. Amazon Prime's Behind It All continues to lift the lid on Molly's private life and, in the newly-released Part Two, tensions hit boiling point between her and her sibling, 29. 8 Molly-Mae and sister Zoe clash over Tommy Fury in her new documentary Credit: AMAZON PRIME VIDEO 8 Zoe says she thinks about her sister's wellbeing constantly Credit: AMAZON PRIME VIDEO Viewers are given an unfiltered look at the emotional fallout from Molly's split with the boxer, 26, - and how his looming return could be driving a wedge between the influencer., 25, and her sister. 'I would always, always, always, 100% be there for her,' Zoe insists in a tense on-camera exchange. 'But, yeah, I do worry for her, and my relationship with her if they would get back together. "Definitely. I just want us to get on. I actually don't hate you in the slightest. Like, I feel like you actually hate me.' Molly, clearly emotional, pushes back: 'No, I don't hate you. But I feel that anger from you towards me, from like, years and years of us sometimes having arguments.' The candid conversation marks one of the rawest moments yet in the series, which follows Molly as she rebuilds her life after splitting from Tommy, the father of her one-year-old daughter, Bambi. Zoe doesn't hold back in voicing her concern, claiming: 'I think she potentially needs to look into the future and think what's best for her and Bambi. "She's got a long, rocky road ahead, unfortunately.' In part one of Behind It All, the Love Island winner was grilled by Zoe once again over her man. Molly admitted that her memories of her sister's own wedding day last July were ruined by sports star Tommy's drinking. Watch the terrifying moment Molly-Mae Hague is thrown from her horse in 'traumatising' accident At the time, she confessed to "begging and pleading" with the boxer not to get drunk at the Lake District ceremony - and "couldn't remember" any moments where his boozing didn't end in "disaster". The Sun previously revealed her fiercely protective sister has been waving red flags, refusing to forgive or forget how things played out prior to Molly-Mae and Tommy's break-up. The Marathon runner and Hydrox fanatic was seen chatting to the businesswoman in her Cheshire home, directly asking: "Have you actually addressed the problems?" Molly shot back at the time: "One hundred per cent." ZOE'S CONCERN Former British Army Medical Corps servicewoman Zoe has now followed in Molly-Mae's footsteps as an influencer. 8 Tommy's looming return appears to be driving a wedge between the siblings Credit: Getty 8 Zoe previously addressed her 'turbulent' time with boxer Tommy Credit: instagram/@zoerae/ 8 The Sun uncovered footage that showed the couple sharing a kiss on New Year's Eve Credit: Supplied 8 He was later accused of cheating on her with a 'blonde stranger' on a lads' holiday Credit: Instagram/tommyfury From the very first episode of Molly-Mae's Behind It All, she made her feelings on Tommy and the pair's split clear. She said: "I'm sad for you but you have to go through it and it's hell and that's what makes me sad – you want to be with 50 per cent of Tommy but you don't want to be with the other 50 per cent of him. 'The last two months you've been happier and nicer to be around because you've not got the stressors that come along with being with him.' In a piece to camera she added: "Mine and Tommy's relationship was very very turbulent. "We definitely butted heads a fair few times about him going out and me being protective with Molly. "He was great with Bambi but he wasn't at the time being a great partner and I think that's what she potentially couldn't see." Tommy and Molly's shock split came in August last year when she posted a statement to Instagram, telling fans: 'Never in a million years did I think I'd ever have to write this. 'After five years of being together, I never imagined our story would end, especially not this way.' He was later accused of cheating on her with a 'blonde stranger' on a lads' holiday to Macedonia - something Tommy has repeatedly denied. The boxer then admitted that alcohol and partying was behind his split, saying: 'We broke up because I had a problem with alcohol and I couldn't be the partner that I wanted to be anymore. 'It kills me to say it, but I couldn't. I loved a pint of beer, loved to drink.' The couple have continued to co-parent their tot Bambi, aged two. HAPPY REUNION In March, Molly-Mae revealed their reunion as she spoke out on the family's holiday to Dubai. It came after the influencer and boxer, both 25, shared almost identical holiday snaps from the UAE, Tommy posted his own gallery showing their tot playing in the same hotel pool as he added the word "Dream" - while Maebe founder Molly-Mae admitted she was in her "happy place." Talking of the trip on her vlog she said: "I feel like I haven't felt this excited for a trip for so long." She then addressed her relationship status and said of the pair: "We're just figuring things out." She said: "We had a really really amazing time, probably the best holiday ever for all of us. "It's not that I'm hiding it, I'm not quite ready to talk about it." 8 The mum of one sobbed as she addressed their split in part one Credit: Prime Video
The Irish Sun
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Watch as Molly Mae and sister get into bitter spat over Tommy Fury reunion as he drives wedge between siblings
MOLLY-MAE Hague and her sister Zoe furiously clash over her reunion with Tommy Fury in shock scenes from her reality show. Amazon Prime's 8 Molly-Mae and sister Zoe clash over Tommy Fury in her new documentary Credit: AMAZON PRIME VIDEO 8 Zoe says she thinks about her sister's wellbeing constantly Credit: AMAZON PRIME VIDEO Viewers are given an unfiltered look at the emotional fallout from Molly's split with the boxer, 26, - and how his looming return could be driving a wedge between the influencer., 25, and her sister. 'I would always, always, always, 100% be there for her,' Zoe insists in a tense on-camera exchange. 'But, yeah, I do worry for her, and my relationship with her if they would get back together. "Definitely. I just want us to get on. I actually don't hate you in the slightest. Like, I feel like you actually hate me.' read more on Molly Mae Molly, clearly emotional, pushes back: 'No, I don't hate you. But I feel that anger from you towards me, from like, years and years of us sometimes having arguments.' The candid conversation marks one of the rawest moments yet in the series, which follows Molly as she rebuilds her life after splitting from Tommy, the father of her one-year-old daughter, Bambi. Zoe doesn't hold back in voicing her concern, claiming: 'I think she potentially needs to look into the future and think what's best for her and Bambi. "She's got a long, rocky road ahead, unfortunately.' Most read in Reality In part one of Behind It All, the Love Island winner was grilled by Zoe once again over her man. Molly a dmitted that her memories of her last July were ruined by sports star Tommy's drinking . Watch the terrifying moment Molly-Mae Hague is thrown from her horse in 'traumatising' accident At the time, she confessed to "begging and pleading" with the boxer not to get drunk at the Lake District ceremony - and "couldn't remember" any moments where his boozing didn't end in "disaster". The Sun previously revealed her fiercely protective sister has been waving red flags , refusing to forgive or forget how things played out prior to . The Marathon runner and Hydrox fanatic was seen chatting to the businesswoman in her Molly shot back at the time: "One hundred per cent." ZOE'S CONCERN Former British Army Medical Corps servicewoman Zoe has now followed in Molly-Mae's footsteps as an influencer. 8 Tommy's looming return appears to be driving a wedge between the siblings Credit: Getty 8 Zoe previously addressed her 'turbulent' time with boxer Tommy Credit: instagram/@zoerae/ 8 The Sun uncovered footage that showed the couple sharing a kiss on New Year's Eve Credit: Supplied 8 He was later accused of cheating on her with a 'blonde stranger' on a lads' holiday Credit: Instagram/tommyfury From the very first episode of Molly-Mae's Behind It All, she made her feelings on Tommy and the pair's split clear. She said: "I'm sad for you but you have to go through it and it's hell and that's what makes me sad – you want to be with 50 per cent of Tommy but you don't want to be with the other 50 per cent of him. 'The last two months you've been happier and nicer to be around because you've not got the stressors that come along with being with him.' In a piece to camera she added: "Mine and Tommy's relationship was very very turbulent. Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury - Reunion Clues MOLLY-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury are on holiday in Dubai after splitting in August. Yet have they dropped clues about their reunion before? Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury appear to have confirmed their romance is back on Yet in January, the rumour mill had already started turning on their reunion after pics of with the boxer resurfaced In February, Tommy, 25, then after the pair's romantic getaway for Valentine's Day. The Sun exclusively revealed how the pair . During the same month, Tommy was also Fans then spotted clues the pair had Molly-Mae was also heard "We definitely butted heads a fair few times about him going out and me being protective with Molly. "He was great with Bambi but he wasn't at the time being a great partner and I think that's what she potentially couldn't see." Tommy and Molly's 'After five years of being together, I never imagined our story would end, especially not this way.' He was later The boxer then admitted that alcohol and partying was behind his split, saying: 'We broke up because I had a problem with alcohol and I couldn't be the partner that I wanted to be anymore. 'It kills me to say it, but I couldn't. I loved a pint of beer, loved to drink.' The couple have continued to HAPPY REUNION In March, Molly-Mae revealed their reunion as she spoke out on the family's holiday to Dubai. It came after the influencer and boxer, both 25, from the UAE, posted his own gallery showing their tot playing in the same hotel pool as he added the word "Dream" - while Maebe founder admitted she was in her "happy place." Talking of the trip on her vlog she said: "I feel like I haven't felt this excited for a trip for so long." She then She said: " "It's not that I'm hiding it, I'm not quite ready to talk about it." 8 The mum of one sobbed as she addressed their split in part one Credit: Prime Video 8 Tommy and Molly met on Love Island Credit: PA
The Irish Sun
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Molly-Mae Hague fans spot huge clue member of her family HATES Tommy Fury in first-look at new series
MOLLY-MAE Hague fans spotted a huge clue that a member of her family hates Tommy Fury, in a first-look at the new series. The reality star, who split from the professional boxer in August, Advertisement 7 Molly-Mae Hague fans spotted a huge clue that a member of her family hates Tommy Fury, in a first-look at the new series Credit: TikTok/@primevideouk 7 Fans think Zoe hates Tommy Credit: TikTok/@primevideouk 7 Molly and Tommy are confirmed to be back together Credit: Amazon prime 7 Molly-Mae: Behind It All launched exclusively on Prime Video on 9th May 2025 Credit: Prime Video During episode six, During a heartwarming conversation, Molly praised Tommy for turning his life around - saying "the version of who he is right now is one of the best I've seen". But Molly fans are convinced that her The Maebe fashion brand founder, 25, was grilled by her sibling in scenes from the latest instalment of her Amazon Prime documentary. Advertisement Read More on Molly-Mae Hague The Marathon runner and Hydrox fanatic is seen chatting to the businesswoman in her And then in the car, the sisters have a more heated debate with Zoe telling Molly: 'Your relationship, and how you feel and how you are with Tommy is my only cocern.' Molly then bites back: 'What a lovely life you have if that is your only worry.' Zoe ends up saying: 'I know at some point Mol, in the next year, however long it is, there will be a time where unfortunately you probably will be upset again.' Advertisement Most read in News TV In the comments, one person wrote: 'Her sister and family do NOT like Tommy!! It's sad to see that her relationship with him is negatively affecting and straining her own relationship with her family. A tale as old as time sadly.' Watch the moment Molly-Mae Hague is confronted by sister Zoe after revealing she's back with Tommy Fury A second penned: 'Talk about hatred damn he's really getting in-between them.' Someone else said: 'Oh she really doesn't like Tommy does she.' From the very first episode of Molly-Mae's Behind It All, Zoe made her feelings on Tommy and the pair's split clear. Advertisement She said: "I'm sad for you but you have to go through it and it's hell and that's what makes me sad – you want to be with 50 per cent of Tommy but you don't want to be with the other 50 per cent of him. Molly-Mae Hague - Five Ways She Spends Her Wealth MOLLY-MAE Hague has raked in a whopping £48K a week. Yet what five things has the mum of one spent out on? A stunning home: Molly-Mae is the proud owner of her stunning Hot wheels: Molly-Mae oozes cool mum vibes as she travels around town in Bottega beauty: Molly-Mae Jetting off: Last year, the influencer Price escape: In 2024, she also used a private jet to fly to Ibiza for a . 'The last two months you've been happier and nicer to be around because you've not got the stressors that come along with being with him.' In a piece to camera she added: "Mine and Tommy's relationship was very very turbulent. Molly and Tommy are now confirmed to be back together, after the new episodes aired. Advertisement In one, during a phone call, Tommy tells Molly: "I want to see that face for eternity." Molly replies: "Why are you being silly?" It also featured 7 The sisters argued in the car Credit: TikTok/@primevideouk Advertisement 7 Molly praised Tommy for turning his life around Credit: Getty 7 The couple share adorable daughter Bambi together
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Special Delivery
There are spoilers ahead. You might want to solve today's puzzle before reading further! Special Delivery Constructor: Marc Raila Editor: Jared Goudsmit TUSH (15A: ___ push (rhyming football play)) The TUSH push is a variation of the football play known as the quarterback sneak. The quarterback sneak involves a quarterback running or diving forward after receiving the football, while the offensive line also surges forward. It is sometimes used when only a short gain is needed. In the TUSH Push, two players push the quarterback from behind as he surges forward. Add this to the list of sports knowledge I've gained from crosswords. TWEAK (1A. Teeny adjustment) TWEAK is such a fun word. That's all. OREO (16A: Cookie akin to Hydrox) Although OREO currently has a larger share of the cookie market than Hydrox, it was Hydrox that appeared on the market first, in 1908. An imitation of Hydrox, named OREO, was introduced in 1912. CHUCK E. CHEESE (20A: Rodent mascot whose middle initial stands for "Entertainment") CHUCK E. CHEESE is the mouse mascot of the entertainment restaurant chain of the same name. CHUCK E. CHEESE features arcade games and musical shows in addition to serving pizza. CHUCK E. CHEESE is a popular spot for kids' birthday parties. RHO (26A: Letter after pi) RHO is making back-to-back puzzle appearances. We saw it yesterday clued as [Greek letter that looks like a "p"]. ONE (41A: "The loneliest number") This is true according to singer-songwriter Harry Nilsson, anyway. His 1968 song, "ONE," begins with the line, "ONE is the loneliest number that you'll ever do." TIC-TAC-DOUGH (55A: Game show with X's and O's) The game show TIC-TAC-DOUGH was first produced in 1956, with Jack Barry as host. There have been three versions of the show (so far) - from 1956-1959, from 1978 to 1986, and in 1990. During the game show, contestants would answer questions in a variety of categories to put an X or O on the board, attempting to win a game of tic-tac-toe. MAINE (67A: The Pine Tree State) MAINE has the largest forest cover of any state, with over 80% of its total area being forest. Much of that forest is pine trees, making it easy to understand why MAINE is called the Pine Tree State. BENTO (70A: Japanese-style packed meal) BENTO is, as the clue describes, a Japanese-style packed meal. It is often served in a partitioned container that allows different parts of the meal to be placed in different sections. ELM (3D: North Dakota state tree) In addition to being the state tree of North Dakota, the ELM is also the state tree of Massachusetts. KATHY (5D: "Hocus Pocus" actress Najimy) The 1993 movie Hocus Pocus features a trio of witches named the Sanderson sisters, portrayed by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and KATHY Najimy. The three reprised their roles for Hocus Pocus 2, released in 2022. A third Hocus Pocus movie is in the works, but no release date has been set. When I first wrote about Hocus Pocus in May 2022, I admitted I had never seen this movie. I was admonished for this by both my daughter and editor Amanda Rafkin! I have now seen both Hocus Pocus and Hocus Pocus 2. STACCATO (6D: Like music with short, sharp notes) Thank you to my childhood piano teachers for teaching me about STACCATO, enabling me to fill in this answer with confidence. In musical notation, the opposite of STACCATO is legato. ASTERS (8D: Daisylike flowers) The daisylike flowers, ASTERS, are having a crossword moment, as we saw the single ASTER yesterday and a few weeks ago, both times clued as [Daisy relative]. ROSE (10D: "Damask" flower) The Damask ROSE is a ROSE hybrid known for its fragrance. It is often used to make rose oil. The quotation marks around "Damask" in the clue indicate that the word is paired with the answer as a name. ARLENE (11D: Garfield's love interest) In the Garfield comics by Jim Davis, ARLENE is a pink cat who is Garfield's girlfriend. She made her first appearance in 1980, two years after the comic began. My cat, Willow, is peeking out from under a blanket to say that she's a fan of Garfield and ARLENE. HOSTA (22D: Plant that's an anagram of "oaths") A HOSTA is a shade-tolerant perennial with many varieties. I did not know what a HOSTA was until I moved to the Iowa City area. All over town I noticed similar-looking plants around the bases of trees. I learned they were called HOSTAs. They are popular because they thrive in the shade and because deer don't particularly like them. We currently have two varieties of HOSTAs growing in our yard. ICE (24D: Crushed halo-halo ingredient) Halo-halo is the unofficial national dessert of the Philippines. The cold treat is made from crushed ICE and coconut milk or evaporated milk. Various ingredients, such as ube jam, garbanzo beans, or coconut strips may be added. PETA (25D: Org. with a "Global Beauty Without Bunnies" program) PETA stands for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Their "Beauty Without Bunnies" program is a certification the organization provides to beauty and cosmetic companies that do not do animal testing on their products. TAMIA (30D: "A Nu Day" singer) TAMIA is a Canadian R&B artist. A Nu Day is her second studio album, released in 2000. HBO (44D: "Succession" channel) Succession is an HBO TV series that focuses on the Roy family, the owners of a global media and entertainment conglomerate, Waystar RoyCo. The show originally aired from 2018 to 2023. TRES (56D: Numero despues de dos) " Numero después de dos" is Spanish for "number after two." RAE (61D: Singer Corinne Bailey ___) Corrine Bailey RAE is a singer and songwriter from Leeds, England. Her first global hits were "Like a Star," released in 2005, and "Put Your Records On," released in 2006. Her fourth studio album, Black Rainbows, was released in 2023. NEO (64D: Keanu's role in "The Matrix") In The Matrix movies - of which there have been four to date - Keanu Reeves portrays computer programmer Thomas Anderson, who operates as a hacker using the name NEO. The name NEO is an anagram of "one." In The Matrix, "The One" refers to a randomly selected human that carries a special code. CHUCK E. CHEESE (20A: Rodent mascot whose middle initial stands for "Entertainment") AWESOME SAUCE (37A: "So cool!") TIC TAC DOUGH (55A: Game show with X's and O's) SPECIAL DELIVERY: If we look at the last words of the theme answers – CHEESE, SAUCE, and DOUGH – we see that the SPECIAL DELIVERY is a pizza. Pizza is one of my favorite foods, so you know I'm a fan of this theme. I also like that it took a bit of an extra step to piece together what the SPECIAL DELIVERY is, making for a nice "Aha!" moment. Thank you, Marc, for this excellent puzzle. One more thing today: The annual American Crossword Puzzle Tournament is this weekend in Stamford, Connecticut. I'll be there! If you happen to be attending also, please find me and say hello. I'd love to connect with you. USA TODAY's Daily Crossword Puzzles Sudoku & Crossword Puzzle Answers This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Crossword Blog & Answers for April 4, 2025 by Sally Hoelscher
