David Ricks, Chair and CEO of Eli Lilly, discusses the groundbreaking advances in weight-reducing drugs that extend their benefits beyond initial intentions, like treating addiction and Alzheimer's. He highlights how Eli Lilly has halved drug development timelines through innovative approaches and AI. Ricks also navigates the challenges of drug pricing ethics in different markets, emphasizing the balance between patient access and business sustainability. This conversation reveals the exciting future of medicine and its transformative potential.
Eli Lilly's development of GLP-1 drugs illustrates a pivotal shift in weight management, transitioning from side effects to targeted treatments for obesity and related diseases.
The pharmaceutical industry grapples with ethical dilemmas in drug pricing, balancing patient access with the financial sustainability of innovative drug development.
Deep dives
Revolutionizing Weight Management
Recent advancements in GLP-1 drugs are transforming the approach to weight management and various chronic diseases. Initially, weight loss was an unintended side effect of these medications, but drugs like Trisepatide have now been specifically designed to target weight reduction while also addressing conditions such as diabetes. By stimulating gut hormones, these medications help regulate appetite and manage significant health issues associated with obesity, including cardiovascular and kidney diseases. As the industry moves forward, effective management of weight could shift from being viewed as a burden to a more manageable choice for individuals.
Ethical Pricing Dilemmas in Healthcare
The pharmaceutical industry faces significant ethical challenges regarding the balance between affordability and profitability. While there is pressure to provide accessible drugs to patients, there's also a need to ensure adequate returns on the substantial risks associated with drug development. The company employs a value-based pricing approach, looking at the broader impact of their drugs on healthcare costs, such as reduced absenteeism and the decline in the need for joint replacements. This perspective not only highlights the financial benefits but also emphasizes the long-term societal contributions of inventing effective medications.
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Nicolai Tangen meets with David Ricks, Chair and CEO of Eli Lilly, for a discussion about the pharmaceutical giant's remarkable journey. At the forefront is Eli Lilly's breakthrough work with weight reduction drugs, which are showing promise far beyond their original purpose - from treating addiction to potentially impacting Alzheimer's. Ricks reveals how the company has revolutionized drug development by cutting traditional timelines in half, how it navigates global market challenges, and how it approaches drug pricing and innovation. A must-listen for anyone curious about the future of medicine!
In Good Company is hosted by Nicolai Tangen, CEO of Norges Bank Investment Management. New full episodes every Wednesday, and don't miss our Highlight episodes every Friday.
The production team for this episode includes Isabelle Karlsson and PLAN-B's Niklas Figenschau Johansen, Sebastian Langvik-Hansen and Pål Huuse. Background research was conducted by Kristian Haga.