WeightWatchers shares soared on Tuesday after the company announced it would enter the prescription drug weight-loss business with the acquisition of Sequence.
Sequence is a telemedicine provider that provides users with access to medicines used to treat diabetes and obesity under brand names such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Trulicity.
All these drugs work by the same mechanism. It triggers the release of insulin, blocks the production of sugar in the liver and suppresses appetite.
WeightWatchers offers its subscribers meal plans aimed at shedding excess weight. With the acquisition of Sequence, we’re entering a red-hot market for prescription medicines that address obesity and expand what we offer our customers.
“As the trusted leader in weight management, it is our responsibility to support those interested in exploring whether medication is right for them,” CEO Sima Sistani said in a statement late Monday. said in a statement.
Questions swirl about the use of semaglutide, commonly marketed under the brand name Ozempic, for weight loss. Explore the risks and benefits of off-label use.
What are Ozempic and Wegovy?
Ozempic and Wegovy are different versions of the same drug known as semaglutide.
Both injections are given once a week. Ozempic is only approved for the treatment of diabetes, but is increasingly prescribed for off-label use.
Wegovy was approved for the treatment of obesity in adults in 2021, and was approved late last year for the treatment of obesity in adolescents aged 12 and older. In clinical trials, adults using Wegovy lost about 15% of their initial weight, while teens lost slightly more.
Experts say the drug should be combined with diet and exercise for best results. Trulicity is dulaglutide, another drug used to treat diabetes in adults and her children over the age of 10. It is not approved for the treatment of obesity.
Semaglutide was in short supply for much of the last year due to off-label use of semaglutide, fueled by social media posts. Novohi Nordisk said supplies are being replenished, but many diabetics report problems accessing needed medications.
Both Ozempic and Wegovy can cause side effects, the company reports. They include possible thyroid cancer, pancreatitis, kidney and gallbladder problems.
The most common side effects are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and constipation. Obesity rates rose from 30.5% in the period 1999-2000 to 41.9% from 2017 to March 2020, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The prevalence of severe obesity he jumped from 4.7% to 9.2% over the same period.
Wegovy and Saxenda are currently approved in the United States for the treatment of obesity, and tirzepatide is widely expected to be approved later this year.
In December, Eli Lilly CEO David Ricks called the drug one of “a generational opportunity.” The drug was approved for the treatment of diabetes last year and is marketed under the brand name Mounjaro.
dose17:26Why is Ozempic so popular?
We hear a lot about Ozempic these days. A drug to treat diabetes, it is now becoming increasingly popular with celebrities and ordinary people who want to lose a few pounds. Here are some things you should do.
high cost of obesity
According to the CDC, the estimated annual medical cost of obesity in the United States was about US$173 billion in 2019 dollars.
Annual health care costs for obese adults were $1,861 higher than health care costs for healthy-weight adults.
“The deal brings access to prescription drug solutions for weight loss to the behavior modification model that WW has traditionally focused on,” wrote UBS analyst Michael Lasser.
“This is a significant change in business. This transaction has the potential to be quite profitable, but it also entails considerable risk.” said it was about to take a big step toward a course correction.
“I think it will take time to see if this action really makes a difference in the company’s fortunes,” he said. pay. Sequence, as of February, serves approximately 24,000 members nationwide and has annual sales of approximately $25 million. The acquisition is expected to close in the second quarter.
WW International Inc. shares closed 79% higher on Tuesday.
Jan 19, 2023 | Ozempic, a type 2 diabetes drug, has skyrocketed in popularity thanks to its appetite-suppressing side effect. Find out why you raised it.
