On The Pen: The Weekly Dose 6.4.24

https://ro.co/weight-loss/supply-tracker
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mL_krAas70k

Novo Nordisk Advertising:

• Novo Nordisk launches new advertising campaign "The Power of Wegovy"
• This advertisement includes the new indication for reduction of cardiovascular risk
• For 2023, the #5 advertising spend for a drug was Rybelsus at $191 million.  The #6 advertising spend was Ozempic at $187.4 million (increase of 6% from 2022). More than 40% of the 2023 ad spend for Ozempic  went to online video platforms (i.e. social media like youtube)
• Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhretLXYkZ4

Structure Therapeutics GSBR-1290

• GSBR-1290 is a small molecule GLP-1 pill
• In a 12-week phase 2 clinical study, a tablet formulation of GSBR-1290 had a weight-loss of 6.9%. This is comparable to Eli Lilly's phase 2 results for olforglipron
• At Week 12, 67% of GSBR-1290 treated participants achieved ≥6% weight loss and 33% achieved ≥ 10% weight loss, compared to 0% for placebo
• Also developing next generation combination GLP-1 candidates together with GIP, amylin, glucagon and apelin oral small molecules
• Link (Madison Muller): https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-06-03/structure-reports-early-oral-weight-loss-drug-data-adding-allure

Elon musk tweet:

• Elon Musk tweeted: Just make a lot of Ozempic/Mounjaro. It’s not inherently expensive. The health benefits of reducing obesity far exceed the downside of GLP-1 inhibitors. We evolved under starving conditions and now make food that is plentiful and delicious. Whether that food is “processed” does matter, but is not a game changer
• This tweet has currently been seen 325,500 times

Shanghai Stem Cell Type 2 Diabetes Treatment
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3263878/chinese-scientists-report-world-first-they-cure-patients-diabetes-cell-therapy