Michail_Petrov-96 Eli Lilly ( NYSE: LLY ) and Novo Nordisk ( NVO ) could soon be facing competition in the highly lucrative weight-loss drug market. At least eight companies currently have weight-loss drugs in mid-to-late stage development , including Pfizer ( PFE ), Amgen ( NASDAQ: AMGN ), Viking Therapeutics ( NASDAQ: VKTX ), Altimmune ( ALT ), Structure Therapeutics ( NASDAQ: GPCR ) and Zealand Pharma ( OTCPK:ZLDPF ). Innovent Biologics ( OTCPK:IVBIY ) is also working on a new weight-loss medication with Lilly.
Several other companies have drug candidates in pre-clinical or early-stage development, including Roche ( OTCQX:RHHBY ), which acquired two early-stage candidates through its recent takeover of Carmot Therapeutics, and AstraZeneca ( AZN ). GE Healthcare ( GEHC ) has also jumped into the game. The medtech company’s ultrasound weight-loss therapy, which is being developed with Novo Nordisk, is currently in Phase 2 development.
Which brings us to today’s biomed investor question: Which stocks should investors be watching in the weight-loss space? We asked Seeking Alpha biomed analysts Edmund Ingham , Stephen Ayers and Terry Chrisomalis to weigh in. Stephen Ayers: Roche's stock has been a disappointment, falling 16% over the last decade. However, their astute acquisition of Carmot Therapeutics for only $2.
7 billion -- similar to Viking Therapeutics ( VKTX ), which is now valued at $8 billion -- could pay off handsomely. With this acquisition, Roche now has a promis.
