Obesity market news — July 27, 2026
The Novo Nordisk v Eli Lilly advertising dispute escalated on July 24, 2026, when Novo asked a US federal court for a preliminary injunction to immediately block Lilly's obesity and diabetes drug ads. Novo argues Lilly benchmarks its drugs against outdated, lower Wegovy and Ozempic doses while omitting newer higher-dose versions. Lilly stands behind its advertising, citing head-to-head trials. An early ruling could reshape how the whole category is marketed.
The oral GLP-1 race is taking shape. Novo's Wegovy pill leads with weekly prescriptions around 153,000 (still below its 161,000 peak), while Lilly's Foundayo (orforglipron) has hovered near 20,000 for a month, roughly the level the Wegovy pill reached within two to three weeks of launch. The non-peptide pill's slower ramp matters because it is easier to manufacture at scale and needs no cold chain; commercial traction, not just approval, is now the battleground.
Eli Lilly (LLY): Lilly is defending itself in the advertising suit Novo filed July 21 and escalated July 24 with a preliminary-injunction request. Lilly says it stands firmly behind its campaigns, which rely on head-to-head trial comparisons. Its commercial position remains strong, but Foundayo (orforglipron) prescriptions have stalled near 20,000 per week about three months post-launch.
Novo Nordisk (NVO): Novo is the plaintiff: after suing Lilly on July 21, it asked the court on July 24 for a preliminary injunction to immediately halt Lilly's ads. Operationally, the oral Wegovy pill leads the oral GLP-1 market at around 153,000 weekly prescriptions, though below its 161,000 peak. CagriSema remains under FDA review.
Amgen (AMGN): No material company-specific obesity news this week. Amgen continues its six-study Phase 3 MARITIME program for MariTide (maridebart cafraglutide) in obesity and type 2 diabetes, following Phase 2 data showing up to about 20% weight loss with monthly or less-frequent dosing.
Viking Therapeutics (VKTX): Viking is the name to watch: it reports second-quarter 2026 results on July 29, the next real catalyst. Its VK2735 (a dual GLP-1/GIP agonist) is in the late-stage VANQUISH Phase 3 program in injectable and oral forms, and the company recently began a Phase 1 trial of VK3019, a dual amylin/calcitonin agonist.
Zealand Pharma (ZEAL): No new company-specific disclosure this week. Zealand and partner Roche remain on track to advance petrelintide (an amylin analogue) into Phase 3 for chronic weight management in the second half of 2026, following Phase 2 data with double-digit weight loss and a mild gastrointestinal profile.
Structure Therapeutics (GPCR): No new company-specific news this week. Structure Therapeutics continues to advance its oral small-molecule GLP-1 aleniglipron toward a Phase 3 chronic weight management program, after mid-stage ACCESS data showed roughly 16% placebo-adjusted weight loss and a GLP-1-typical side-effect profile.
Altimmune (ALT): No new company-specific news this week. Altimmune's lead asset pemvidutide (a GLP-1/glucagon dual agonist) advances in MASH, with the PERFORMA Phase 3 trial planned; the company recently closed a roughly $225 million public offering to fund operations through key readouts.