Alimentary/Metabolic

A Short History Of MASH Deals, Culminating In GSK/Boston Pharma

 
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Both high-profile failures and small investments that are yielding success so far characterize the dealmaking in MASH over the past 15 years or so.

Novo Nordisk’s CEO Forced Out After Falling Behind In GLP-1 Battle

 

Company surprises investors with Jørgensen's exit but insists its strategy will not change.

Multiple Launches Help Lilly’s Japan Growth

 
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Lilly saw solid growth for its business in Japan last year on the back of several new launches and is building its obesity and Alzheimer's portfolios in the country.

Novo Nordisk Looks To Septerna For Oral Obesity Options

 

Deal Snapshot: The Danish drugmaker is partnering with GPCR drug discovery expert Septerna to develop multiple small molecules for cardiometabolic targets.


GSK Pays $1.2bn For Phase III-Ready MASH Contender

 

The acquisition of Boston Pharma’s once-a-month FGF21 analog adds to GSK’s liver disease portfolio.

China Biopharma Podcast

 
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Join our China-based editors Dexter Yan and Xu Hu in this Chinese-language podcast looking at some of their recent interviews and other key coverage.

Stock Watch: Stock Watch: Lilly And Novo Duke Out Q1

 
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Novo Nordisk enjoyed a surprise GLP-1 agonist contracting win in the first quarter of 2025. This provided a welcome boost to its stock after it had spent the previous quarter on the back foot against rival Lilly.

Lilly Builds Obesity Momentum With New SURMOUNT Data Besting Novo Nordisk

 

The presentation and publication of the Phase IIIb study showing greater efficacy for Zepbound over Wegovy come at a time when competition has been heating up between the two obesity medications.


Chinese Firms Build Obesity Clinical Pipeline But Face Wider Hurdles

 
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Despite the ability to initiate clinical trials quickly and having strong manufacturing capacity, Chinese companies are facing multiple challenges in the obesity space.

Zepbound Grows, But CVS/Novo Nordisk Deal For Wegovy Casts Shadow

 

Lilly executives told the company’s Q1 call they were not surprised at the Wegovy deal, but some analysts said it could cut into prescription growth for Zepbound.

CNS, Cardiometabolics A Bright Spot In Recent Chinese VC/PE Fundings

 

Over the past few months, Chinese developers of CNS and cardiometabolic therapies have attracted the interest of domestic investors, amid generally modest funding activity.

Sebela’s Tegoprazan Poised For GERD Market

 

Two Phase III trials testing tegoprazan read out positively, but the potassium-competitive acid blocker will compete with Phathom’s Voquezna (vonoprazan).


MetaVia’s ‘Safe’ Obesity Drug Resonates With Analysts, But Not Investors

 
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The biotech reported Phase I multiple-ascending dose data for its obesity drug for the second time in a week, but its safety and tolerability do not offset concerns about relatively unimpressive weight reduction.

Lilly Scores With Orforglipron In Diabetes, Generating Excitement For Obesity

 

The company announced positive topline results for the oral GLP-1 drug in type 2 diabetes that beat expectations.

Ironwood To Consider All Options With Apraglutide Setback In SBS

 
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With the FDA asking for another Phase III trial, the short bowel syndrome drug apraglutide could be years away from market, while the Linzess patent expiry and near-term debt loom.

Pfizer’s Danuglipron Is Done, Sparking M&A Speculation

 

The company discontinued development of its oral GLP-1 receptor agonist for weight management due to a safety signal.


Compounding Unlikely To Solve GLP-1 Affordable Access Issues

 

The end of semaglutide and tirzepatide shortages means large-scale compounding is declining, ICER noted. But compounded versions – and the demand for them – are likely here to stay.

Ferring’s Faith In Bladder Cancer Gene Therapy Starts To Pay Off

 
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Adstiladrin sales hit €70m in first full year on the market

Multiple Tactics Likely Needed To Control Obesity Drug Costs

 

ICER’s new white paper pointed to estimates that the GLP-1 drugs may result in more than $100bn in annual spending, highlighting the need to rein in costs.

Rhythm Anticipates Smooth Sailing For Setmelanotide After Phase III Success

 

The company plans a tiered sales approach as it targets endocrinologists for hypothalamic obesity, which is more widely diagnosed than its current indication for Bardet-Biedl syndrome.