Obesity Today—January 20, 2026

This week’s Obesity update covers a mix of regulatory decisions, late-stage market signals, and strategic positioning across metabolic and oncology-related pipelines. The items highlight access expansion, oral therapy momentum, and evolving expectations around future treatment formats.

In this Newsletter

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💼 Celltrion pitches biosimilar scale-up and early oncology readouts [1]

https://www.koreabiomed.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=30286
Context: JPM 2026 presentation; pipeline spans ADCs, multispecifics, FcRn inhibitor, and an obesity candidate. Manufacturing plans include a Branchburg, NJ site.
Key point: Celltrion targets 41 biosimilars by 2038 and expects Phase 1 readouts for CT-P70/71/72/73 starting H2 2026; CT-P70 has FDA Fast Track.
Implication: Signals pipeline investment and modality expansion.

🧪 AbbVie eyes amylin in obesity strategy [2] [14 Jan 2026]

https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/abbvie-plans-build-out-its-presence-obesity-market-2026-01-14/
Context: JPM remarks from CMO and CCO; program centers on Gubra-licensed “GUBamy” (longer-acting amylin).
Key point: AbbVie aims to build obesity presence, emphasizing tolerability and durability versus first-gen GLP-1s; sees aesthetics channel synergy.
Implication: Signals pipeline investment and modality expansion.

💊 Lilly’s orforglipron pill timing reiterated by CFO [3]

https://seekingalpha.com/news/4538715-eli-lilly-obesity-pill-track-for-approval-q2
Context: JPM 2026 interview; orforglipron is a small-molecule GLP-1. Key point: Lilly remains on track for potential FDA approval in Q2 2026 for orforglipron.
Implication: May influence prescriber choice and payer reviews pending full data.

📈 Structure: orals could be 25–50% of GLP-1 obesity market by 2030 [4] [14 Jan 2026]

https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/structure-expects-pills-capture-25-50-glp-1-obesity-market-by-2030-2026-01-14/
Context: CEO interview; targeting primary care reach via partnership.
Key point: Structure projects oral GLP-1 pills could capture 25–50% of the obesity market by 2030, citing PCP adoption.
Implication: Could inform practice and payer discussions; interpretation depends on market evolution.

🚀 Wegovy pill has “solid” US launch week, shares rise [5]

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2026-01-13/roche-pharma-ceo-on-company-s-obesity-assets-video
Context: Early US launch data cited by TD Cowen and Symphony via Bloomberg; official launch 05 Jan 2026 after late-Dec approval.
Key point: Novo Nordisk shares rose on early Rx signals for the Wegovy pill, with analysts calling the start “solid,” while noting more data are needed.
Implication: May influence prescriber choice and payer reviews pending full data.

🏷️ MHRA okays up to 7.2 mg/week Wegovy dose for obesity-only use [6] [UK • 06 Jan 2026]

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/medicines-regulator-approves-up-to-72mg-dose-of-semaglutidewegovy-for-patients-with-obesity-only
Context: Applies to adults with BMI ≥30 kg/m² for weight management; excludes overweight and CV-risk indications.
Key point: Maximum semaglutide dose set at 7.2 mg weekly, administered as three 2.4 mg injections on the same day, after titration.
Implication: May influence prescriber choice and payer reviews pending full data.

Why it matters

Oral GLP-1 timelines and uptake will shape channel mix and adherence in primary care.
Amylin and multi-agonist strategies broaden mechanisms beyond incretins.
Higher-dose semaglutide options could address plateauing responders, within obesity-only labeling.
Biosimilar scale-up funds innovation, while adding system-level pricing pressure.
Early Rx signals are informative but need confirmation over quarters.

FAQ

What did Celltrion commit to on timelines and modalities?

Celltrion outlined a target of 41 biosimilars by 2038 and expects sequential Phase 1 readouts for four oncology programs starting H2 2026. Modalities include ADCs, multispecifics, an FcRn inhibitor, and an obesity candidate CT-G32 [1].

How is AbbVie positioning its obesity entry?

AbbVie is developing a longer-acting amylin program licensed from Gubra, prioritizing tolerability and durability. The company also sees synergies with its aesthetics customer base [2].

When could Lilly’s orforglipron be approved?

Lilly’s CFO said the oral GLP-1 orforglipron remains on track for a potential FDA decision in Q2 2026, following submission for regulatory approval [3].

How big could the oral segment be within GLP-1 obesity therapies?

Structure Therapeutics’ CEO estimates oral pills could comprise 25–50% of the market by 2030, driven by primary care adoption and patient preference for orals [4].

What early signals are there for Wegovy pill demand?

Analysts cited early US prescription data indicating a “solid” launch week for Wegovy’s pill, with shares up, while stressing more data are needed to confirm trends [5].

What exactly did the MHRA approve on Wegovy dosing?

MHRA approved a maximum 7.2 mg weekly regimen for adults with obesity only, delivered as three 2.4 mg injections on the same day after titration to 2.4 mg/week [6].

Entities / Keywords

Celltrion; CT-P70/71/72/73; CT-G32; FcRn inhibitor; ADCs; multispecific antibodies.
AbbVie; Gubra; GUBamy; amylin analog.
Eli Lilly; orforglipron; oral GLP-1.
Structure Therapeutics.
Novo Nordisk; Wegovy pill; semaglutide 7.2 mg; MHRA.
Primary care physicians; obesity market 2030.