Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mike Doustdar said the company’s obesity medicines may have uses beyond weight loss as researchers continue studying the broader effects of semaglutide.
"We have to be obsessed with what our patients want," Doustdar said Sunday in an interview with Bloomberg at the American Diabetes Association conference in New Orleans.
Novo Nordisk is a Danish drugmaker best known for Ozempic, a diabetes treatment, and Wegovy, a weight-loss medicine. Both drugs contain semaglutide, one of the most closely watched compounds in the pharmaceutical industry.
Doustdar said the company is exploring whether future generations of GLP-1 medicines could be used to treat additional diseases beyond obesity and diabetes.
"If it is true that semaglutide slows down a lot of those conditions as a molecule, then maybe whether we like it or not, we are already in a bit of a longevity game," he said. "We're sitting in the middle of fully understanding that, and of course, exploring that."
Beyond Weight
Drugmakers are increasingly studying whether GLP-1 medicines can provide benefits beyond weight management. Novo has previously reported evidence suggesting semaglutide may provide benefits for the heart, liver and kidneys beyond weight reduction.
At the ADA conference, Novo researchers presented data suggesting semaglutide reduced the biological age of the heart and kidneys based on experimental measurements. The analysis did not prove the drug slows aging, but it added to ongoing research into semaglutide’s broader health effects.
Doustdar also said Novo is exploring other diseases future generations of GLP-1 medicines could treat, suggesting weight loss may eventually become just one of several benefits.
New Markets
Asked whether Novo would consider areas such as skincare, hair loss and other appearance-related treatments, Doustdar responded: "Yes," according to Bloomberg.
The comments come as investors have urged Novo to diversify beyond diabetes and obesity, which account for the vast majority of the company’s revenue. Competitor Eli Lilly and Co. (NYSE:LLY) has also expanded into new therapeutic areas. In March, Lilly agreed to acquire Centessa Pharmaceuticals to strengthen its sleep medicine and neuroscience portfolio.
The company has continued expanding research around semaglutide. In April, Novo reported positive Phase 3 trial results for oral semaglutide in children and adolescents with Type 2 diabetes, showing significant reductions in blood sugar levels.
In May, Novo presented new clinical data showing its oral Wegovy pill delivered significant long-term weight loss and physical-function benefits. Earlier this year, the company also partnered with OpenAI to accelerate drug discovery and development through artificial intelligence.
Price Action: Novo Nordisk shares closed at $42.96 on Friday, down 1.81% for the session. The stock was down 0.44% in premarket trading on Monday at $42.77.
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