Eli Lilly on Track to Become First $1 Trillion Health-Care Stock

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In the U.S., the first non-tech company to reach $1 trillion in market value was earlier this month. Soon, a pharmaceutical giant could become the first health-care company to achieve this milestone.

Eli Lilly is experiencing a surge in demand for its injectable weight loss drug Zepbound and diabetes medication Mounjaro, which are incretin drugs that mimic hormones produced in the gut to suppress appetite and regulate blood sugar. These drugs now account for nearly 40% of Eli Lilly's total sales, as indicated in its second-quarter results in August.

Eli Lilly is gaining a competitive edge in the weight loss drug market, which is projected to be worth $150 billion by the end of the decade.

Despite investing billions to increase production, Novo Nordisk's weight loss and diabetes drugs, Wegovy and Ozempic, did not meet sales expectations in the second quarter due to pricing pressure in the U.S.

Eli Lilly's treatments have other potential health benefits that could increase long-term revenue, and investors are encouraged by these possibilities. The company has released several study results in the past year demonstrating Zepbound's effectiveness in treating obesity-related conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea, fatty liver disease, and cardiovascular disease.

Nearly $900 billion is Eli Lily's market value after its shares increased more than 60% this year.

Eli Lilly's stock price increased by almost 10% on Aug. 8 after its second-quarter results exceeded analysts' expectations. The company may experience another impressive quarter on Oct. 30.

Potential data and regulatory approvals could increase the value of shares, as demonstrated by Eli Lilly's anticipation of an FDA decision on Zepbound for sleep apnea by the end of the year.

According to Leerink Partners analyst David Risinger, Eli Lilly may reveal data from a late-stage trial comparing Zepbound to Novo Nordisk's Wegovy by the end of the year.

Rewritten sentence: Please provide any tips, suggestions, story ideas, and data to Annika at [email protected].

Latest in health-care tech: Another continuous glucose monitor hits the market

It's raining continuous glucose monitors!

Lingo, the first over-the-counter continuous glucose monitor from Abbott, was announced on Thursday, following Dexcom's launch of a similar product just days earlier in the U.S.

Continuous glucose monitors are small sensors that stick through the skin to measure real-time glucose levels. These devices have traditionally been prescribed to diabetes patients since they can help alert those users to emergencies. However, lingo is more consumer-friendly, as it's meant for adults who are not taking insulin.

Elevated levels of glucose, a sugar molecule obtained from food and the body's primary energy source, can increase the risk of severe health issues such as heart disease, insulin resistance, and metabolic disease, according to Abbott.

The purpose of Lingo is to educate users on how their bodies react to food, physical activity, rest, and stress, as well as to provide guidance on managing glucose levels in a healthier manner.

Lingo, a sensor that monitors blood sugar levels, was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in June. It can be purchased online without a prescription, with one sensor costing $49, two sensors costing $89, and six sensors costing $249.

The FDA approved Dexcom's new over-the-counter continuous glucose monitor, Stelo, in March. An ongoing Stelo subscription costs $89 a month, while a one-month supply can be purchased for $99.

I haven't tried Lingo yet, but Abbott gave me a tour of the app and its features.

The "Lingo Count" metric by Abbott is a standout feature that helps users comprehend glucose spikes. This happens when the bloodstream's sugar level rapidly rises and falls, typically following a meal.

The Lingo Count algorithm assigns a numerical value to each glucose spike, representing its significance. Users aim to keep their total Lingo Count below a daily target and monitor their progress over time.

The Lingo app offers challenges and educational materials to help users manage glucose spikes. I believe the challenges could be an enjoyable way to motivate individuals to monitor their glucose levels, and I am eager to participate in them.

Overall, I found the app to be user-friendly and useful. The information is presented in a straightforward manner, without being overly complicated or overwhelming, and users can explore further if desired.

I'll be testing out Lingo later this month, so stay tuned for more updates!

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