Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY) and Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) both delivered strong third-quarter results, but their earnings revealed two fundamentally different healthcare businesses.
Geoff Meacham, Citi analyst, joins 'Fast Money' to talk what the year ahead holds for competition in the obesity drug market.
Hims & Hers Health is significantly undervalued, with the market underestimating its growth potential and international expansion opportunities. Geographical and product expansion, vertical integration, and a unique personalized offering position HIMS to regain historical growth rates by 2026 and beyond. Management targets substantial margin expansion, aiming for adjusted EBITDA margins of at least 20% by 2030, with marketing spend expected to decrease.
Novo Nordisk (NYSE:NVO) has made its Wegovy pill, the first oral GLP-1 treatment for weight loss, broadly available to patients in the United States. The launch marks a new development in obesity treatment, offering a once-daily pill alternative to weekly injections that have dominated the market.
American patients can now receive the first-ever GLP-1 pill for weight loss from Novo Nordisk, marking a new chapter of obesity treatment in the U.S. The cash prices of the drug, called the Wegovy pill, are among the lowest on the market, ranging from $149 to $299 per month.
Viking Therapeutics is positioned favorably in the oral GLP-1 obesity drug race, with strong Phase 2 results for VK2735. VKTX's oral candidate achieved 12.2% weight loss at the highest dose in 13 weeks, matching or exceeding peers' metrics and showing potential for further improvement. Management will focus Phase 3 dosing on 20-75 mg, balancing efficacy and tolerability while the injectable 78-week Phase 3 Vanquish trial is underway.
FDA approves first GLP-1 pill for obesity from Novo Nordisk
Novo Nordisk said it plans to start selling the new pill in the U.S. soon after the new year, with a cash price of $149 a month for the starting dose.
Intuitive Surgical grapples with a GLP-1-driven bariatric slump but leans on strong general surgery gains and rising da Vinci 5 adoption.
Structure Therapeutics (GPCR) delivered robust Phase 2b results for aleniglipron, surpassing key efficacy and tolerability thresholds for oral GLP-1 therapies. GPCR now appears competitive with top oral obesity drugs, with dose optimization and front-end titration as critical levers for further differentiation. Recent $500M stock offering, combined with $800M cash, positions GPCR as 'Phase 3 ready' but valuation reflects high expectations.
Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT) and Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY) just reported Q3 earnings that highlight two fundamentally different healthcare bets.
Hims & Hers Health has sold off ~40% GLP-1 turbulence, but the core growth story remains intact. The company is building a moat through personalized medicine, vertical integration, and diversification beyond GLP-1s, reducing regulatory and competitive risks. By assuming very achievable growth rates, the company seems to be undervalued by up to 102%.