·“In the past 40 years, the obesity rate in China has increased nearly tenfold. The root cause of all chronic diseases is obesity; if obesity can be controlled, downstream diseases can be well prevented and treated.”
·“Improving lifestyle can generally reduce weight by 5%-10%, while metabolic surgery can typically reduce weight by 25%-30%. New weight loss medications can achieve a weight loss of 15%-20%, with some patients losing even more. However, relying solely on medication for long-term weight loss is impossible; medication is just an aid.”
On July 19, 2024, multinational pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly (LLY.US) announced that terzepatide for weight loss has been approved for market release by the National Medical Products Administration of China (NMPA) (trade name: Muzenda), just three weeks after semaglutide, known as a “miracle weight loss drug,” was launched in China (trade name: Nouhuying). Both medications are used for long-term weight management, based on dietary adjustments and increased physical activity.
Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist that can activate GLP-1 receptors; terzepatide is a glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP)/GLP-1 receptor agonist that can simultaneously activate GIP and GLP-1 receptors. Both work by regulating appetite to decrease food intake, reduce weight, and lower fat mass.
Consulting firm IQVIA, in a report published on February 22, 2024, stated that the arrival of GLP-1 receptor agonists, particularly Wegovy (semaglutide injection), marks a turning point in the obesity market, as drug interventions have achieved a significant weight loss of 10%-15% for the first time.
Obesity is a large market. According to the IQVIA 2024 Global Drug Usage Report, global spending on obesity reached nearly $24 billion in 2023, growing more than sevenfold in just three years. Starting in 2024, this market is expected to accelerate rapidly, with potential value reaching $131 billion by 2028.
Semaglutide for weight loss was launched in the U.S. back in June 2021 (trade name: Wegovy), and quickly gained public attention with endorsements from celebrities like Tesla CEO Elon Musk. In 2023, Wegovy’s sales were approximately $4.53 billion, a year-on-year increase of 407%.
While semaglutide is making waves as a “global drug king,” Eli Lilly’s terzepatide is still in the spotlight, seen as having the opportunity to compete for the throne in the weight loss market due to its impressive data—multiple clinical trials have recorded its weight loss effects breaking records. In November 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved…
