Obesity Video Recap—November 11, 2025

This biweekly obesity video recap reviews major moves shaping the obesity and metabolic landscape—from strategic deals and late-stage data to policy shifts and AI-enabled care.

🎯 Watch Our Video Summary Capturing Obesity News from the Last Two Weeks

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Week 27–3 October 2025
Week 3–10 November 2025

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Transcript

Welcome to this episode of Obesity Updates, covering breakthroughs in the past two weeks. Brought to you by LucidQuest.

Pfizer has emerged victorious in the battle for Metsera, after a bidding war with Novo Nordisk, securing a $10 billion deal. Novo Nordisk had initially submitted a higher unsolicited offer, but withdrew due to antitrust concerns. Pfizer’s winning bid includes a premium over Metsera’s current market value. This acquisition reflects the ongoing intense competition in the obesity drug market and may lead to shifts in pipeline strategies for both companies.

AstraZeneca has moved to advance its portfolio in obesity treatments with the acquisition of SixPeaks Bio. AstraZeneca has exercised its option to acquire the company for $170 million upfront, with additional milestone payments tied to regulatory progress. This acquisition strengthens AstraZeneca’s focus on metabolic diseases, particularly obesity, signaling its growing commitment to this area as part of its broader pipeline strategy.

Hanmi Pharmaceuticals has reported the topline results of its Phase 3 trial of Efpeglenatide in Korea. The study demonstrated a ~9.75% weight loss at 40 weeks with a significantly lower incidence of gastrointestinal adverse events compared to drugs like Wegovy and Mounjaro. The study, which involved 448 obese patients, reported no serious adverse events or discontinuations. With its favorable safety profile, Efpeglenatide could influence long-term prescription choices in obesity treatment.

Wave Life Sciences has made significant strides in its RNA interference (RNAi) therapy for obesity. Its WVE-007 siRNA drug showed up to an 85% reduction in Activin E levels, with durable effects lasting up to 6 months in early-stage trials. The Phase 1 trial results suggest that this treatment could offer the potential for annual or biannual dosing, reducing the treatment burden for obesity patients and possibly accelerating adoption in the market.

Eli Lilly is preparing to file for FDA approval of orforglipron, an oral GLP-1 therapy for obesity. The drug has shown promising results, with a weight loss of around 12.4% in late-stage trials. Eli Lilly aims for an expedited review through the national-priority voucher program, which could place the company in a leading position for oral GLP-1 therapies in obesity treatment, offering an alternative to injectable treatments.

In a strategic move to improve chronic disease management, Fangzhou and Novo Nordisk have announced a partnership to develop AI-powered digital solutions for diabetes and weight management. The collaboration will expand the Health Ecosystem Alliance, creating a digital chronic disease management platform. The goal is to shift from disease-focused treatments to proactive health management, contributing to China’s “Healthy China 2030” initiative. This partnership aims to drive innovation in digital healthcare and improve patient access to efficient treatment.

Eli Lilly’s tirzepatide, marketed under the names Mounjaro and Zepbound, has become the world’s best-selling drug, surpassing Merck’s Keytruda. With sales projections reaching $24.8 billion in 2025, Eli Lilly’s rapid success highlights the strong demand for both obesity and diabetes treatments. Since its approval in 2022 for diabetes and 2024 for obesity, Mounjaro and Zepbound have demonstrated impressive market growth, setting a high bar for competitors in the space.

The Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) is reviewing the classification of obesity drugs, including Wegovy, as substances with a high potential for misuse or abuse. The MFDS is focusing on concerns regarding dosage misuse and illegal distribution practices, such as dose splitting and rapid dose escalation. The agency plans to enhance oversight in these areas, targeting illegal online sales and improper prescription practices. Regulatory changes could impact patient access to these drugs and influence prescribing practices, particularly for high-demand medications like Wegovy.

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Why It Matters

Competitive M&A activity could significantly shape market positioning and access to cutting-edge obesity treatments.
Safety profiles continue to be crucial for prescriber choice, with GI adverse events remaining a key factor in long-term treatment adherence.
Regulatory reviews like the FDA’s national-priority voucher program for orforglipron could expedite market entry for new obesity drugs.
AI and digital solutions can revolutionize chronic disease management, offering more personalized and accessible care.
Tirzepatide’s market dominance reflects the growing demand for effective obesity and diabetes treatments, influencing competition and pricing strategies in the sector.
Regulatory concerns over misuse of obesity drugs may lead to tighter controls and impact market access, particularly in regions with rising concerns over illegal sales.

🗓️ Explore weekly details and sources

Week 27–3 October 2025
Week 3–10 November 2025

📚 See the full Obesity archive on our research hub page.

FAQ

What did Hanmi’s efpeglenatide show in Phase 3?

The 40-week topline showed ~9.75% mean weight loss with lower GI AE rates versus known blockbusters, with no serious AEs or discontinuations in a Korean population [3]. Full data at 64 weeks is pending.

How often might Wave’s WVE-007 be dosed?

The Phase 1 trial showed that a single dose of WVE-007 led to durable Activin E suppression for up to 6 months, suggesting potential for once- or twice-yearly dosing, with no serious AEs.

What is the status of Lilly’s orforglipron FDA filing?

Lilly plans to file for FDA approval this quarter and is seeking accelerated review through the national-priority voucher program, which may shorten the approval timeline.

Why is Novo Nordisk competing with Pfizer for Metsera?

Novo Nordisk made a higher unsolicited bid for Metsera, which Pfizer objected to, triggering a contest for a strategic asset in the obesity market.

What is the focus of Fangzhou and Novo Nordisk’s collaboration?

Fangzhou and Novo Nordisk are working together to develop AI-powered solutions for chronic disease management, specifically in weight management and diabetes. The partnership aims to provide more efficient, proactive healthcare services.

How successful has Eli Lilly’s tirzepatide been?

Tirzepatide (Mounjaro/Zepbound) became the world’s top-selling drug in 2025, surpassing Keytruda, with sales of $24.8 billion. It has been successful in both diabetes and obesity markets since its approval.

What action is Korea’s MFDS considering regarding obesity drugs?

Korea’s MFDS is reviewing whether to classify obesity drugs like Wegovy as “drugs of abuse concern,” due to issues of misuse, illegal online sales, and unapproved dosage adjustments. Increased monitoring and regulatory oversight are expected.

Entities / Keywords

Efpeglenatide (Hanmi Pharmaceutical; GLP-1), WVE-007 (Wave Life Sciences; siRNA), Orforglipron (Eli Lilly; oral GLP-1), VK2735 (Viking Therapeutics; GLP-1/GIP), ASC30/ASC31/ASC47 (Ascletis), Tirzepatide (Eli Lilly; Zepbound/Mounjaro), Wegovy/Ozempic (Novo Nordisk), Metsera, MFDS Korea, SCoMIS, University of Glasgow, IQVIA, Tirzepatide (Eli Lilly; Zepbound/Mounjaro), Wegovy (Novo Nordisk), Fangzhou, Novo Nordisk, MFDS Korea, Health Ecosystem Alliance, AI in healthcare, diabetes, obesity, Healthy China 2030.