Pharmaceutical laboratories in the race for treatments against obesity

By 2035, two billion people will be obese worldwide, with all the associated health problems. This represents a gigantic market for pharmaceutical laboratories

In recent years, a new generation of very effective medications has arrived, which can sometimes help you lose 15 kg in just one month. The principle is the same for all these treatments: with an injector pen, a molecule is delivered every week into the stomach, and imitates a hormone secreted by the intestines. This promotes the production of insulin, which sends a signal of satiety to the brain and suppresses hunger.

The best known of these drugs is praised by Hollywood stars and is even completely trivialized in the United States. This is the antidiabetic Ozempic, from the Danish laboratory Novo Nordisk. With the same molecule, its little brother, Wegovy, is indicated against obesity. Another drug is still marketed in the United States, by Eli Lilly: Mounjaro. Here too, an “obesity” version exists: the Zepbound. These two manufacturers, Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, have just announced significant industrial investments in France. Other laboratories have also entered the race to treat obesity, such as Roche, AstraZeneca and Pfizer. The market is expected to reach $100 billion by 2030.

French prudence

If some of these drugs are already approved in the United States, where 40% of the population is obese, in France, only Ozempic is already authorized, and only against type 2 diabetes. The “obesity” version, the Wegovy, should be marketed next year and is eagerly awaited. But doctors point out that Wegovy is a treatment for obesity, it involves losing weight to avoid health problems. It is not just about being overweight. Second point of vigilance, it is a medication.

And as with any medication, there are side effects. Far from being those of Mediator, this molecule can nevertheless cause thyroid cancer, pancreatitis and intestinal obstructions. Recently, risks of suicide or self-harm have been reported. It is therefore necessary to assess the balance between benefits and risks. The Medicines Safety Agency (ANSM) is clear: the balance is positive in the case of obesity. But to lose a few extra pounds and fit into your swimsuit this summer, it’s not worth it. It will be up to doctors to carefully supervise prescriptions.