Economist Podcasts Weight boss? Competition for Novo Nordisk
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Dec 18, 2025 
Shailesh Chitnis, a global business writer, explains how Eli Lilly's ZepBound is shaking up Novo Nordisk's dominance in the slimming drug market. He discusses Novo's missteps in demand forecasting and strategic restructuring. Jonathan Green, a slang expert, argues that early human speech may have included colorful expletives like 'arse,' highlighting the historical significance of slang in culture. Bella King shares insights on the British wool industry's recent price hikes and happier sheep, driven by changing demand and improved conditions.
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How Novo Lost Its First-Mover Edge
- Novo Nordisk underestimated the size and consumer nature of the weight-loss market.
- Eli Lilly's ZepBound moved faster with direct-to-consumer channels and superior product performance.
Shortages Opened The Door To Copycats
- Compound pharmacies exploited U.S. shortages to produce cheaper copies of Wegovy.
- Shortages exposed Novo to an unregulated low-cost substitute it could not easily defend against.
Shift To Consumer-First Pharma Fast
- Think like a consumer business rather than a traditional pharma company to capture demand.
- Build direct channels, telehealth access, and nimble pricing instead of rigid forecasts.