Sept 10 (Reuters) - The market for weight-loss treatments is expected to see 16 drugs vying for a slice of the lucrative business currently dominated by Novo Nordisk NOVOb.CO and Eli Lilly LLY.N, according to estimates from analysts at Morningstar and Pitchbook.
In a joint report published on Monday, analysts estimated the market for obesity treatments could expand to $200 billion by 2031. The 16 drugs could launch by 2029, with roughly $70 billion of the GLP-1 market coming from these challengers.
WHY IT'S IMPORTANT
Surging demand for Novo's Wegovy and Lilly's Zepbound has sparked interest among competitors to test their own weight-loss treatments. Companies such as Amgen AMGN.O and Pfizer PFE.N are currently testing their drug candidates in clinical trials.
These developments come amid criticism from lawmakers over the high costs associated with these medications. The entrants, however, are expected to drive down prices as they vie for market share, according to the report.
CONTEXT
The potential treatments include those from Boehringer Ingelheim and Zealand Pharma ZELA.CO, along with competitors from Roche ROG.S, Amgen AMGN.O and Pfizer PFE.N, according to the report, provided that the drugs clear clinical trials.
Other entrants include those by Structure Therapeutics GPCR.O, Viking Therapeutics VKTX.O and Altimmune ALT.O, along with -generation drugs by Novo and Lilly.
Analysts, last year, had forecast the obesity market would be $170 billion by 2031, but have recently raised their estimates, partly due to anticipated higher diabetes market penetration.
The report projects 41% individuals with diabetes and one-quarter of obesity patients will be on a GLP-1 drug by 2031.
WHAT'S NEXT
Analysts expect significant acquisitions by major pharmaceutical companies in the obesity sector over the 18 months, targeting smaller companies specializing in obesity drug development.
Potential acquisition targets include firms such as Structure, Viking and Altimmune.
Private companies such as NodThera, Corteria and Diasome have a higher-than-50% chance of being acquired, according to PitchBook data.
(Reporting by Sneha S K in Bengaluru; Editing by Mohammed Safi Shamsi)