- In May 2024, Novo Nordisk announced plans to expand production capacity for Wegovy and Ozempic by investing over USD 4.1 billion in manufacturing facilities in Denmark and the U.S. This move aims to address growing global demand and reduce supply constraints for GLP-1 receptor agonists used in obesity and diabetes treatment. The investment reflects the company's strategic commitment to scaling operations in response to increasing therapeutic uptake
- In April 2024, Eli Lilly and Company launched Zepbound (tirzepatide) in several European markets following regulatory approval for obesity management. The dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist has shown superior efficacy in weight reduction and metabolic improvement, and its European rollout marks a significant milestone in expanding the availability of next-generation obesity drugs beyond the U.S. market
- In March 2024, Pfizer Inc. resumed clinical development of its once-daily oral GLP-1 receptor agonist after earlier trials were paused due to gastrointestinal side effects. The company has reformulated the drug to improve tolerability, reflecting the industry's broader effort to develop more patient-friendly alternatives to injectable therapies. If successful, this could significantly improve compliance and expand access
- In February 2024, Amgen Inc. initiated a Phase 3 clinical trial for its investigational GLP-1 agonist compound MariTide, targeting obesity and cardiometabolic comorbidities. The candidate previously demonstrated promising weight loss outcomes in Phase 2 trials, and its progression into late-stage testing underscores the competitive momentum building in this high-growth therapeutic category
- In January 2024, Zealand Pharma and Boehringer Ingelheim announced positive Phase 2 results for BI 456906, a long-acting GLP-1/glucagon dual agonist, in obese individuals. The data showed significant body weight reduction and favorable tolerability, paving the way for Phase 3 development. This reflects the evolving focus on combination therapies to enhance efficacy and broaden treatment options in obesity care
