Business Wars Ozempic Wars | The Hundred-Year Duel | 1
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Nov 19, 2025 The podcast delves into the intense rivalry between Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, stemming from a century of competition in diabetes treatments. It reveals how a diabetes drug, Ozempic, surprisingly became a weight-loss sensation, sparking a rush from competitors. Listeners learn about production challenges, rising demand, and the impact of compounding pharmacies filling shortages. The cultural phenomenon of Ozempic's popularity on social media and the scrutiny of Novo Nordisk's marketing practices further add to the excitement.
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Illegal Ozempic Shipments Seized
- FDA agents raid a shipping yard and find thousands of vials labeled semaglutide from Hong Kong.
- The seized vials may be counterfeit and highlight a booming black market for unregulated weight-loss injections.
GLP-1 Is Key To Appetite And Glucose Control
- GLP-1 mimics regulate blood sugar and signal fullness to the brain.
- A drug that prolongs GLP-1's half-life could transform diabetes care and reduce appetite significantly.
Breakthrough From A Lab Return
- Scientist Lata Bjer-Nudsen returned from maternity leave to lead Novo Nordisk's GLP-1 project in 1994.
- Her team added a spacer to bind GLP-1 to albumin, prolonging its half-life and enabling drug development.