Yazılar

Former X CEO Linda Yaccarino Takes Helm at GLP-1 Telehealth Startup eMed

/in /tarafından

Linda Yaccarino, who recently stepped down as CEO of social media platform X, has been appointed CEO of eMed Population Health, a Miami-based telehealth startup focused on GLP-1 weight loss drugs.

Yaccarino, known for her extensive advertising and digital revenue expertise, led X through a challenging period marked by advertiser skepticism amid controversial content under Elon Musk’s ownership. She previously modernized NBCUniversal’s global advertising business over a decade.

“I brought X through a tremendous growth trajectory, and I’m proud of what we accomplished,” Yaccarino said in a Reuters interview. “Now, it’s the perfect time for a new challenge.”

Founded in 2020, eMed partners with employers and government payers to manage the use of GLP-1 drugs, a class of obesity and diabetes medications whose high costs have limited insurance coverage. Yaccarino emphasized the company’s vision to transform the weight-loss category at a critical moment.

The telehealth sector focused on GLP-1 drugs is growing rapidly but faces increased scrutiny over safety, marketing, and regulatory challenges. Industry experts note Yaccarino’s digital marketing skills will be valuable as the sector shifts toward a direct-to-consumer model.

eMed claims its platform can reduce weight loss program costs by up to 50%, offering live, on-demand care without the need for appointments. The company initially gained traction through at-home COVID-19 testing during the pandemic and later expanded into diagnostics for other illnesses but has since refocused on telehealth services.

Currently, eMed employs between 51 and 200 people.

Nestle Introduces Protein Shots to Target Weight-Loss Drug Users in the U.S.

/in /tarafından

Nestle (NESN.S), the world’s largest food company, has launched a new product in the United States aimed at weight-loss drug users: Boost Pre-Meal Hunger Support, a protein shot designed to suppress appetite. This move marks another step in the company’s strategy to capitalize on the growing demand for weight-loss solutions.

About the Product

The Boost Pre-Meal Hunger Support shots are intended to be consumed 30 minutes before a meal. Nestle claims the drink promotes a natural GLP-1 hormone response, mimicking but on a smaller scale the appetite-suppressing effects of weight-loss drugs like Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy and Eli Lilly’s Zepbound. These popular medications, administered via weekly injections, are known for reducing hunger and inducing feelings of fullness.

Priced at $10.99 for a pack of four, the shots contain:

  • 10 grams of whey protein
  • 45 calories
  • 1 gram of sugar
  • Zero fat

The shots are currently available on Amazon.com and in select CVS stores.

Mechanism and Claims

Nestle’s Chief Technology Officer, Stefan Palzer, explains that the protein shot’s formula includes a patented mix of peptides designed to trigger a natural GLP-1 response in the body. The product is based on whey protein micro-gels, which digest more slowly and interact longer with intestinal receptors to release the GLP-1 hormone.

This is not intended to replace weight-loss drugs but may complement their effects or help individuals maintain weight loss, Palzer said. Nestle has also patented the product’s formula to protect its unique mix of peptides and micro-gel technology.

The Science Behind It

Nestle conducted a study in 2021 involving 26 participants with type-2 diabetes, comparing the effects of whey protein microgel against a placebo. Results showed:

  • 22% reduction in glucose levels two hours after a meal in the whey protein group.
  • A positive effect on GLP-1 hormone levels.

While these findings suggest potential benefits, experts remain cautious. Dr. Lora Heisler, a nutrition researcher at the Rowett Institute, stated that while the product may boost GLP-1 levels, the effects might be comparable to consuming a glass of milk, questioning its long-term impact on weight loss.

Nestle’s Broader Strategy

The protein shots are part of a broader push by Nestle to cater to the booming obesity treatment market, which analysts project could reach $150 billion annually within a decade. Earlier this year, the company introduced protein-enriched frozen pizzas and pastas in the U.S., designed for people taking weight-loss drugs.

Nestle’s move comes amid significant shifts in consumer habits driven by the increasing popularity of weight-loss medications. In 2022, Walmart reported a slight decline in food consumption among customers using these drugs, triggering a market-wide selloff in food company shares, including Nestle’s.

Appetite for Weight-Loss Products

Nestle’s new product seeks to tap into the growing market for alternatives to injectables. While the shots offer a less powerful solution compared to medications like Wegovy or Zepbound, they provide a convenient, non-prescription option for individuals looking to manage their weight.

The protein shots also highlight Nestle’s ambition to innovate within the weight-loss segment, focusing on products that align with shifting consumer needs and health trends.

 

Merck Strikes $2 Billion Deal with Hansoh Pharma for Oral Weight-Loss Drug

/in /tarafından

Merck (MRK.N) has entered a licensing agreement worth up to $2 billion with Chinese biotech firm Hansoh Pharma (3692.HK) for the development of an experimental oral weight-loss drug, HS-10535. This move positions Merck as a new competitor in the race to deliver an alternative to injectable weight-loss treatments.

Details of the Agreement

Under the agreement, Merck will assume responsibility for developing, manufacturing, and commercializing the drug. Hansoh’s HS-10535 is a GLP-1 receptor agonist candidate, designed to emulate the effects of injectable weight-loss drugs like Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy and Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro.

Merck will pay Hansoh an upfront fee of $112 million for the exclusive license, with potential milestone payments of up to $1.9 billion based on development, regulatory progress, and sales achievements. Hansoh will also receive royalties on future sales.

Competitive Landscape

Merck faces stiff competition in the burgeoning weight-loss market. Its oral drug candidate will likely trail behind rivals such as Eli Lilly’s orforglipron, which is further along in development. Other pharmaceutical giants, including Pfizer, Amgen, and Structure Therapeutics, are also testing oral obesity treatments, while AstraZeneca has partnered with China’s Eccogene on a similar initiative.

HS-10535 is currently in the preclinical testing phase, focusing on animal studies, meaning it could be several years before it reaches commercial availability. However, Merck sees potential in the drug not only for weight loss but also for delivering cardiometabolic benefits, according to Merck Research Laboratories president Dean Li.

Merck’s Broader Strategy

This deal reflects Merck’s broader focus on second- and third-generation weight-loss treatments, particularly oral solutions that may offer added convenience over injectables. Beyond HS-10535, Merck is also developing efinopegdutide, a GLP-1 candidate targeting metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), a severe fatty liver disease associated with obesity.

Despite entering the weight-loss race later than its competitors, Merck aims to carve a niche in the field by emphasizing treatments that address obesity-related conditions alongside weight reduction.

Market Response and Implications

Shares of Merck rose slightly to $100.80 in premarket trading following the announcement. Analysts, however, expressed concerns about the timing, as Merck’s drug will likely lag behind more advanced contenders.

Weight-loss treatments, particularly GLP-1 receptor agonists, are shaping up to be a multibillion-dollar market, driven by increasing global demand for effective and convenient solutions to obesity. The licensing deal with Hansoh signifies Merck’s commitment to becoming a key player in this competitive market.