Viking Therapeutics and AstraZeneca's Pill Data Boosts Weight Loss Drug Race

The original sentence: "A version of this article first appeared in CNBC's Healthy Returns newsletter, which brings the latest health-care news straight to your inbox. Subscribe here to receive future editions." Rewritten sentence: "This article was initially published in CNBC's Healthy Returns newsletter, providing you with the latest health-care news directly to your inbox. To receive future editions, subscribe here."

This week, new data from drug companies competing to enter the lucrative weight loss drug market was buried amidst the election news.

In recent days, at the ObesityWeek conference in San Antonio, Texas, several companies, including pharmaceutical giants and biotech companies, presented promising data on their obesity pills and other treatments.

The obesity industry is anticipating a new wave of growth, driven by pills that offer more convenience and fewer side effects, which could keep patients on the drugs for a longer period. Analysts predict that the weight loss drug market will be worth over $100 billion by the end of the decade, as more treatments become available and meet the growing demand that existing injections from and are struggling to meet.

Here's what some of the data on the pills looked like.

An early-stage study on 92 individuals found that those who took the highest dose of Viking's daily pill lost an average of 6.8% of their body weight after 28 days, compared to those who received a placebo.

William Blair analyst Andy Hsieh stated in a note on Monday that the experimental pill from Novo Nordisk outperformed investors' expectations of 5% to 6% weight loss when compared to a placebo.

Viking's pill was well-tolerated by patients, with six out of nine participants on the highest dose experiencing mild nausea and only one experiencing vomiting.

An alternative version of the sentence could be: Unlike existing injections for obesity, which can cause uncomfortable gastrointestinal side effects that lead some patients to discontinue treatment, this new approach may not have such adverse effects.

Despite doubts from some analysts about its ability to capture a significant market share for weight loss drugs due to its small size and manufacturing capabilities, Viking remains determined to succeed.

James Shin, a Deutsche Bank analyst, stated on Monday that while it's not impossible for Viking to manufacture, it will likely be expensive with capital requirements and expertise beyond what Lilly and Novo currently possess.

Viking has been speculated to be a potential target for acquisition by a big pharma company due to its unique characteristics, according to Hsieh.

In addition to its pill, Viking is also working on a weight loss injection and other treatments.

An early study showed that AstraZeneca's experimental obesity pill was well-tolerated by patients with Type 2 diabetes, as the company presented data from several studies on three new treatments during the conference.

Last year, AstraZeneca licensed a once-daily pill from Eccogene, believing it would have fewer side effects than injectable treatments from Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly.

Over four weeks of treatment with AstraZeneca's pill, patients with diabetes shed 5.8% of their body weight.

Although some analysts pointed out that it was challenging to compare AstraZeneca's weight loss drug data to other options due to the small size of the study and the fact that it was conducted on diabetic patients rather than obese individuals, AstraZeneca maintains that its pill stands out from other therapies in development and currently available on the market because of its excellent tolerance by patients.

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

Here's how Americans voted on abortion access

Here's how Americans voted on abortion access

This week, Americans in 10 states decided whether to enshrine or expand access to abortion, two years after Roe v. Wade was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court.

During the presidential campaign, the issue of abortion access was highly debated, especially among female voters. While President-elect Trump has stated that the issue should be left to the states, he has previously supported proposals for a nationwide ban.

According to NBC News projections, here's how Americans have voted on abortion, even though ballots are still being counted across the country.

Arizona: Passed

Proposition 139, which was passed by Arizona voters, grants a right to abortion in the state before the point of fetal viability, approximately 24 weeks.

According to NBC News, the measure passed with 61.2% of the vote, while 38.8% of Arizonians voted against it. However, only 74% of expected votes have been counted so far.

Colorado: Passed

The right to abortion has been enshrined in Colorado's constitution through the passage of Amendment 79, and a ban on public funds being used for abortions has been lifted, allowing more Coloradans to obtain insurance coverage for the procedure.

According to NBC News, Amendment 79 passed with 61.9% of the vote, and about 86% of expected votes are in.

Florida: Not passed

Florida voters rejected Amendment 4, which would have granted a constitutional right to abortion before fetal viability or when the procedure is necessary to safeguard the patient's health. Currently, abortions are prohibited in the state after six weeks of pregnancy.

According to NBC News, more than 57% of Floridians voted in favor of the amendment, but it needed to cross 60% to pass. About 96% of expected votes have been counted.

Maryland: Passed

Maryland voters enshrined the right to reproductive freedom in the state's constitution, which includes the ability to make and effectuate decisions to prevent, continue, or end one's own pregnancy.

According to NBC News, the measure passed with 74.7% of the vote, and about 83% of expected votes are in.

Missouri: Passed

Missouri voters passed Amendment 3, which guarantees the right to reproductive freedom in the state's constitution. The amendment grants residents the authority to make and implement decisions regarding reproductive health care, including abortion.

According to NBC News, Amendment 3 passed with 51.7% of the vote, while 48.3% of people in the state voted against it. With around 99% of expected votes in, the outcome remains unchanged.

Montana: Passed

Montana voters enshrined the right to "make and carry out decisions about one's own pregnancy" into their state's constitution, thereby protecting abortion access.

According to NBC News, the measure passed with 57.6% of the vote, while 42.4% of voters cast their ballots against it. With about 96% of expected votes counted.

Nebraska: Mixed

Nebraska voters rejected an amendment that would have broadened abortion access to the point of fetal viability, but they did approve a measure that enshrined the state's current abortion restrictions in its constitution. Nebraska's abortion laws prohibit terminations after 12 weeks, except in cases of medical emergency, sexual assault, or incest.

According to NBC News, nearly 49% of Nebraska voters supported expanding abortion access, while 51.4% opposed it. The amendment banning abortions after the first trimester was approved by 55.3% of the vote. Approximately 94% of expected votes have been counted.

Nevada: Passed

An amendment in Nevada prohibits abortions after the first trimester, except in cases of medical necessity, incest, or sexual assault.

According to NBC News, the amendment passed with 64% of the vote. Out of the expected votes, around 92% have been counted so far.

New York: Passed

Proposition 1, which safeguards abortion access in New York's constitution, states that individuals cannot be deprived of their rights based on their gender, including sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, and reproductive healthcare and autonomy.

According to NBC News, approximately 62% of New York voters supported the proposition, while 38.1% opposed it. As of now, about 88% of expected votes have been counted.

South Dakota: Not passed

In South Dakota, Amendment G did not pass, which would have granted a constitutional right to abortion. Abortions are still banned in the state, except when they are necessary to save the patient's life.

According to NBC News, 41.5% of voters in the state supported the amendment, while 58.5% voted against it. Nearly all expected votes have been tallied.

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