As next-generation contenders in the obesity treatment space communicate plans to speed up their drug programs, Zealand Pharma appears to have gotten the memo.
The Danish biotech is raising its expected expenses for 2024 and investing “significantly” to “accelerate the development” of its pipeline of obesity assets, CEO Adam Steensberg said in its second-quarter update. A trio of its obesity candidates are expected to enter late-stage trials later this year or early next year.
Its comments follow similar suggestions from companies seeking to catch up with — or even leapfrog — Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly in the weight loss race. Roche and Viking have both discussed intentions to get through clinical testing and thus reach the market faster, while AstraZeneca has hinted at a “very ambitious” strategy and Amgen has doubled down on manufacturing.
For its part, Zealand is advancing a trifecta of approaches to build its portfolio. Petrelintide,
