No more diet injections! Innovations in weight loss drugs: BioNxt Solutions, Merck & Co., Novo Nordisk

Weight loss injections work great, but...

The weight loss injections from Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are real game changers: those who inject themselves with the preparations once a week simply lose their appetite. Even die-hard fans of sweet desserts or salty snacks lose their desire for them and simply give up years of unhealthy habits. The GLP-1 receptor agonists they contain increase insulin secretion, reduce appetite and body weight, and thus offer improved glycemic control and ultimately weight loss. Although the standard preparations Ozempic and Eli Lilly's Mounjaro already offer outstanding results, the market continues to evolve. Patents that are about to expire and alternative dosage forms also offer potential for new companies.

For example, Merck & Co. recently licensed an oral GLP-1 drug from Hansoh Pharma. Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are also preparing to launch their blockbuster drugs in tablet form. Novo Nordisk submitted an application to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) a few months ago. This development is driven by factors such as new patient groups, including adolescents, and issues related to treatment adherence. Adherence refers to how well patients stick to their prescribed therapy. Studies have shown that many patients tend to abandon their treatment after a few months, often because injections can be off-putting. A daily tablet is expected to be easier to use and improve compliance.

BioNxt: Active ingredient film solves known problems

The biotech company BioNxt is taking things one step further with its sublingual drug-soluble films. Patients place the film under their tongue, where it dissolves. The active ingredient is then absorbed directly through the oral mucosa. BioNxt emphasizes that modern weight loss drugs could be administered in this way - completely needle-free and possibly even with improved bioavailability. The latter could reduce costs and be a decisive factor, especially at a time when GLP-1 antagonists are available as generic drugs.

BioNxt already has experience with alternative dosage forms and has previously advanced active ingredient patches containing the Parkinson's drug rotigotine. In the area of dissolvable films, BioNxt received positive feedback from both the European Patent Office (EPO) and the Eurasian Patent Organization (EAPO) in connection with the active ingredient cladribine for multiple sclerosis. Such patent protection is crucial for the commercialization of BioNxt's technology. The versatility of the platform enables BioNxt to address various markets. MS, diabetes, and obesity are all widespread diseases with billion-dollar potential.

Analysts expect 10% annual growth in weight loss drugs

However, the most exciting area at present is likely to be weight loss drugs, where market observers expect continuous growth thanks to a steady stream of innovations and providers. Analysts at DelveInsight forecast annual growth of around 10% between 2025 and 2034. While major manufacturers aim to create new blockbusters with combination therapies that also intervene in the metabolism in other ways, the proven effectiveness of first-generation GLP-1 receptor agonists alone is already sufficient to achieve strong results. This is another reason why more and more companies are promoting the active ingredient in tablet form or going even further with innovative dosage forms like dissolvable films.

While companies like Merck & Co., Novo Nordisk, and Eli Lilly are billion-dollar corporations, BioNxt's stock currently offers the greatest leverage for investors looking to benefit from innovations in the market for obesity drugs. With a market capitalization of around CAD 90 million, the stock still has room to grow if successful. A key strength is BioNxt's platform approach. Innovative dosage forms such as dissolvable films and transdermal patches are highly versatile and can improve the application and effectiveness of a wide range of active ingredients at once.