The pharmaceutical industry has seen a significant rise in the popularity of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists in recent years. Names like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro are all familiar in the realm of diabetes and obesity medications, being classified as GLP-1 drugs.
Novo Nordisk, a Denmark-based pharmaceutical company listed on the NYSE under the ticker (NVO), has been a dominant force in the GLP-1 market with its lineup of treatments including Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus, and Saxenda. However, its competitor Eli Lilly, ticker (LLY), has shown that it can hold its ground in the weight loss space as well.
Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro, developed as a response to Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic, has been a success story in treating diabetes. But the company’s Zepbound, a sibling treatment focusing on obesity, has quickly gained traction since its approval in November 2023. With over $1.2 billion in sales in the three months ending in June, Zepbound has reached ‘blockbuster drug’ status in record time.
Zepbound’s success is just the beginning of a transformative journey for Lilly, and the pharmaceutical company’s growth prospects look promising. With the obesity care market projected to reach $100 billion by 2030, Lilly is well-positioned to capitalize on this growing demand. The acquisition of a manufacturing facility earlier this year demonstrates Lilly’s commitment to meeting the increasing supply needs for weight loss drugs.
While Eli Lilly’s stock may appear pricey based on its price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio, the long-term potential of the company is undeniable. Both Mounjaro and Zepbound have proven to be blockbuster drugs, and with limited competition in the market, the downside risk for Lilly seems minimal. As the landscape of diabetes and obesity care continues to evolve, investors with a long-term perspective may find Eli Lilly to be a compelling investment opportunity.
For investors interested in the potential growth of Eli Lilly, it’s essential to consider the bigger picture and the company’s strategic positioning in the market. Despite not making it to the list of the ’10 best stocks’ identified by the Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team, an investment in Eli Lilly could offer significant returns in the years to come.
Indeed, it seems that the era of Mounjaro is fading as Zepbound emerges as the next big blockbuster drug for Eli Lilly, signaling a new chapter in the company’s success story.