Obesity Today—December 9, 2025

This week’s obesity update spotlights key developments, regulatory milestones, and the latest progress shaping the biopharma landscape.

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🌍 WHO issues first global GLP-1 obesity guideline [1] [01 Dec 2025]

https://www.paho.org/en/news/1-12-2025-who-issues-global-guideline-use-glp-1-medicines-treating-obesity

Context: Notes limited long-term data, costs, system readiness, equity risks; names liraglutide, semaglutide, tirzepatide.

Key point: WHO released its first guideline with conditional recommendations for adult obesity treatment using GLP-1 therapies, excluding pregnancy.

Implication: May influence prescriber choice and payer reviews pending full data.

🧪 Novo’s CagriSema to be studied in children [2] [02 Dec 2025]

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-12-02/novo-will-study-next-generation-obesity-shot-cagrisema-in-kids

Context: Pediatric design includes CagriSema vs Wegovy, cagrilintide, or placebo, BMI tracked over 68 weeks and longer follow-up.

Key point: Novo plans a large global pediatric trial for CagriSema starting January, after adult results underwhelmed.

Implication: May influence prescriber choice and payer reviews pending full data.

🧀 Anti-obesity drugs boost Babybel’s US surge [3] [03 Dec 2025]

https://www.lemonde.fr/en/economy/article/2025/12/03/anti-obesity-drugs-fuel-babybel-s-booming-success-in-the-us_6748112_19.html

Context: US now one third of global Mini Babybel sales; considering expansion of US plant; tariff pressure noted.

Key point: Bel links Mini Babybel growth in the US to anti-obesity med usage and plans €60M capacity expansion in France.

Implication: Could inform practice and payer discussions; interpretation depends on study design and confounding control.

🧬 Veru to highlight obesity therapeutics at SCWD Rome [4] [IT • 04 Dec 2025]

https://www.quiverquant.com/news/Veru+Inc.+to+Highlight+Innovative+Therapeutics+for+Obesity+Treatment+at+SCWD+18th+International+Conference+in+Rome

Context: Announcement previews pipeline focus; specific assets, endpoints, or data not stated.

Key point: Veru will present obesity-treatment programs at the SCWD 18th International Conference in Rome.

Implication: Signals pipeline investment and modality expansion.

🇰🇷 Hanmi’s Epeglenatide gets Korea GIFT fast review [5] [KR • 05 Dec 2025]

https://www.mk.co.kr/en/it/11485018

Context: GIFT offers priority and customized screening, with review time about 25% shorter; Phase 3 40-week data previously disclosed.

Key point: Korea MFDS designated Epeglenatide for GIFT rapid review for obesity.

Implication: Introduces competition that may affect pricing and formulary access.

🇨🇳 China to reimburse Mounjaro for T2D [6] [CN • 08 Dec 2025]

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/diseases-and-conditions/eli-lilly-s-mounjaro-added-to-china-s-state-insurance-list-for-diabetes-treatment/ar-AA1RUalG

Context: Follows Ozempic’s earlier listing; broader access may trade price for volume; Mounjaro also has obesity and OSA labels in China.

Key point: China’s NHSA will add Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro to the national reimbursement list for type 2 diabetes from 01 Jan.

Implication: Introduces competition that may affect pricing and formulary access.

Why it matters

WHO’s first obesity-pharmacotherapy guideline sets a global clinical and equity frame for GLP-1 use.
Pediatric expansion by Novo signals long-horizon positioning for combination incretin strategies.
Consumer behavior shifts tied to GLP-1 uptake are reshaping adjacent food categories and capacity planning.
Korea’s GIFT pathway and China’s NRDL moves show regulatory and access levers evolving quickly in Asia.
Conference activity suggests continued BD and modality exploration across obesity pipelines.

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FAQ

What GLP-1 agents does the WHO guideline reference?

Liraglutide, semaglutide, and tirzepatide for long-term adult obesity treatment, with conditional recommendations and equity cautions [1].

What is CagriSema and why the pediatric study now?

CagriSema combines semaglutide with cagrilintide. Novo is moving into pediatrics after adult results underwhelmed, testing higher dosing and comparators over 68 weeks plus follow-up [2].

How are GLP-1s influencing food demand like Babybel?

Bel links US Mini Babybel growth to perceptions of the product as a healthy snack amid rising anti-obesity drug use, prompting €60M French capacity expansion and potential US expansion [3].

What does Korea’s GIFT designation mean for Epeglenatide?

MFDS assigns priority and customized review, targeting about 25% shorter timelines for innovative products, with obesity as the indication for Epeglenatide [5].

When does China reimburse Mounjaro and for what?

From 01 Jan, for type 2 diabetes under the national reimbursement list, expanding access while likely lowering price per unit [6].

Entities / Keywords

WHO; GLP-1 guideline; liraglutide; semaglutide; tirzepatide; Novo Nordisk; CagriSema; cagrilintide; Wegovy; Bel Group; Mini Babybel; Veru; SCWD conference; Hanmi Pharmaceutical; Epeglenatide; MFDS; GIFT rapid review; Eli Lilly; Mounjaro; NHSA; NRDL; China reimbursement; obesity; type 2 diabetes.