GLP-1 Drugs Transform Weight Loss and Diabetes Treatment, With One in Eight Adults Now Using Them John Eng, a Bronx endocrinologist working at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, spent years searching for a hormone that could stabilize blood sugar without causing dramatic fluctuations. His breakthrough came from an unexpected source: the venom of the Gila monster, a desert lizard that feeds infrequently. In 1992, Eng isolated a peptide from dried venom samples he ordered from a Utah supplier. This peptide, later named exendin-4, behaved like the human gut hormone GLP-1 but was far more stable. The VA, which had funded his research, declined to patent the discovery, so Eng filed for the patent himself and licensed the compound to a small biotech firm. The resulting drug, exenatide, was marketed as Byetta in 2005 and became the foundation for a class of medications now used by more than one in eight American adults for weight loss, diabetes, or both. The journey from a lizard’s venom to a global pharmaceutical success story involved multiple key players. Amylin Pharmaceuticals licensed the compound for commercial use, but the science behind it originated from federally funded VA research that the government had initially dismissed as lacking commercial value. Eng’s decision to patent the discovery independently ensured its eventual commercialization, despite the VA’s reluctance. Byetta, the first GLP-1 drug, required twice-daily injections and offered modest weight loss as a side effect. However, its potential sparked interest in longer-acting analogs. Novo Nordisk, a Danish company with decades of experience in insulin production, developed liraglutide, which became Victoza for diabetes in 2010 and Saxenda for weight loss in 2014.#novo_nordisk #john_eng #gila_monster #va_medical_center #amylin_pharmaceuticals
Hims & Hers Announces Strategic Shift for US Weight Loss Business Hims & Hers Health, Inc. (NYSE: HIMS) has announced a strategic collaboration with Novo Nordisk to realign its US weight loss offerings with global strategies, focusing on expanding access to FDA-approved GLP-1 medications. The company plans to provide US customers with a broader range of FDA-approved treatments, including compounded semaglutide on a limited scale, while aligning its domestic and international models to position itself as the largest global platform for affordable, approved weight loss medications. The US weight loss market has evolved significantly since Hims & Hers entered the space in 2023. Advances in the industry have led to greater availability of FDA-approved GLP-1 treatments at more affordable prices, with improved dosing flexibility and diverse delivery formats, driving increased demand for branded, regulated medications. As part of this shift, Hims & Hers will discontinue advertising compounded GLP-1 products on its platform or in marketing materials. Existing patients will be transitioned to FDA-approved medications when clinically appropriate, though limited access to compounded GLP-1s will remain available for patients whose needs cannot be met by commercially available options. The partnership with Novo Nordisk will bring Ozempic® (semaglutide) in various dosages, including injectable and pill forms, to the platform later this month. Over time, Hims & Hers will educate customers on their treatment options and support seamless transitions to FDA-approved medications as determined by healthcare providers. The companies aim to expand their collaboration to include additional products as they become available, enhancing the range of treatments available to providers.#semaglutide #hims_hers_health #novo_nordisk #glp_1 #ozempic
