The Readout Loud 356: An AI experiment at the FDA & Novo trailing in the obesity drug race
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Jun 5, 2025 Brittany Trang, a STAT colleague and AI expert in the healthcare sector, joins to discuss the FDA's new AI tool, ELSA, which struggles with rectifying past mistakes. She sheds light on Sanofi's $9 billion acquisition of Blueprint Medicines and how it's shaking up the biotech landscape. The conversation also delves into Novo Nordisk's challenges in the obesity drug market, focusing on their strategic errors and the implications of leadership changes, while raising ethical questions about aggressive marketing.
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Novo's Missed Triple Agonist Chance
- Novo Nordisk shelved a promising triple agonist obesity drug candidate developed near Eli Lilly's base.
- Eli Lilly advanced its own triple agonist, retatrutide, which is now a leading candidate in obesity treatment.
Novo's Cautious Culture in Obesity
- Novo's cautious culture was shaped by history focused on insulin and concerns about obesity drug side effects.
- Their belief in semaglutide's success and fear of cosmetic drug perception slowed their obesity market innovation.
Novo's Fragile Position Today
- Novo Nordisk's stock fell about 50% and it ousted its CEO amid a competitive obesity market.
- The company faces critical leadership changes and growing pains as it tries to remain competitive.