Roche-Zealand alliance could shake up obesity market

11 April 2025

The obesity drug market has experienced a seismic shift in recent years, with Novo Nordisk's (NOV: N) Wegovy (semaglutide) and Eli Lilly's (NYSE: LLY) Mounjaro (tirzepatide) revolutionizing the way the condition is treated.

However, while these injectables have set a new standard in weight management, a potentially disruptive challenger is garnering attention. A recently-announced partnership between Roche (ROG: SIX) and Zealand Pharma (CPH: ZEAL) aims to bring petrelintide, a long-acting amylin analog, to market—introducing an alternative mechanism that could reshape the landscape.

As demand grows for treatments that combine strong efficacy with better tolerability and ease of use, petrelintide’s early clinical promise and strategic positioning prompt a question: for how long can current market leaders maintain their dominance?

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